Unveiling the Languedoc's exceptional "crus"
To introduce Southern France’s remarkable crus & terroirs with a focus on old vines grown at high altitudes.
Saint Chinian’s terroir spans 3000 hectares at the foot of the Caroux-Espinouse mountains, at the heart of one of the Languedoc’s regional parks. The northern part features schist and sandstone-based soils dating back to the Primary Era while the south is characterized by limestone soils from the Secondary and Tertiary Eras. The climate is classified as “cool” Mediterranean with superb exposure to the sun and moderate rainfall (700 mm).
We believe that the uniqueness of this terroir lies in the incredible expression of the Syrah grape’s aromas, flavours and minerality when grown in schistous soils.
The grapes in each plot are harvested at their peak of ripeness and vinified separately:
- Syrah: complete destemming, cold pre-fermentation maceration for 48 hours followed by a long vatting time with gentle extractions and warm post-fermentation maceration
- Grenache: complete destemming, cold pre-fermentation maceration for 48 hours followed by a long vatting time with gentle extractions and warm post-fermentation maceration.
- Mourvèdre: complete destemming, long vatting time with gentle extractions and warm post-fermentation maceration.
Aged in concrete and stainless steel tanks on fine lees for 6 months in order to enhance the wine’s structure and bring out all of its fruit and spices.
Our selection of plots is therefore based on this distinctiveness:
- Syrah grapes grown in Cambrian and Ordovician schist lend finesse and minerality to this wine’s aromas and flavours (60% of the blend).
- Grenache and Mourvèdre grapes grown in limestone soil dating back to the Secondary Era lend structure and fruity freshness (20% of the blend for each varietal).
This deep red-hued wine offers a fine, complex nose redolent of notes of bay, tapenade and black pepper. It is rich and smooth on the palate, featuring pure, complex flavours of fresh red berries and mild spices complemented by a velvety finish.
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