Llum
Ardent
Blend of grenache gris and
macabeu planted between 1919 and 2008
Schists
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The very shallow schist (no clay) soils give Llum a crystalline, mineral-laced character.
Cioran
Restrained
parcels of grenache gris, macabeu and grenache blanc
Six years of aging under flor
Schists
•
The story of this wine started in 2006 from three barrels that had taken on oxidative notes. These barrels were set aside for aging, on their own, without rushing things. A layer of yeast (flor) developed over time. Our rancio was born. It was named Cioran based on the anagram. A parallel can also be drawn with the eponymous writer, whose style was sharp, straightforward and focused. These characters are reflected in the wine. Cioran is picked early, like our dry whites, hence its distinctive style, quite the opposite of the heavy Roussillon rancios.
Iglesia Vella
Radiant
Grenache gris planted in 1954
Schists
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Meaning "old church" in Catalan, Iglesia Vella comes from a single parcel close to the former village church site. It is the white equivalent of Las Trabasseres. The jansenist-like parcel contributes great minerality and length to the wine. It has verticality (depth, complexity) and a saline finish that go beyond the schistous soils. It is a pure bedrock wine.
L’Oca
Oriental
Macabeu planted in 1957
Schists with a vein of red clay
•
The parcel is exceptional in that a vein of red clay runs through its schist. This soil character shines through the wine as it unfolds, where spherical texture and complexity gives way to vertical intensity. Oca has a surreal radiant glow.
Pi Vell
Scintillating
Macabeu planted in 1947
Schists
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The Pi Vell parcel ‒ located at an elevation of 260 meters ‒ offers a view of the Pyrenees and the Pic de Bugarach (the highest summit in the Corbières mountains). There we find an old pine, "pi vell" in Catalan. The access road is quite rough, the vines are hard to get to, but once up there it is simply serene and peaceful. All of that breathes through the wine: wind, rock and light. The texture of Pi Vell stems from the absolute minerality of its terroir.
Chamane
Enchanting
Muscat Petits Grains planted in 1960
Schists
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The story of this wine is quite incredible. Old parcels bought in 2010 were already planted to this cultivar. Initially we did not want to keep it because we were not fond of muscat à petits grains. And to be honest, we were planning to pull it out after harvest. But the first vintage convinced us otherwise: it revealed surprising minerality and liveliness. And it has been progressing ever since. Those who taste Chamane are struck by its « straight from the soil » aromatics, outshining the typical Muscat aromas. We constantly seek to bring the soil into the wine. This wine is a classic example.
Imalaya
Electric
Carignan gris planted in 1961
Granites
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The vines are planted at an elevation of 500 meters, near the mountains, 30 minutes from the estate. This type of carignan gris is scarce as there are only about 20 hectares left in France. Granite brings a whole new dimension to the wine, with a distinctly hardcore minerality. It is as mineral as a wine can get.
Les Vignes Métissées
Original
Parcels of white, grey and red cultivars
planted between 1963 and 2011
Schists
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The parcels have been replanted with white cultivars and a few red cultivars. Two years ago, we have added some muscat, grenache gris, blanc and noir, picpoul and cinsault. The wine gets its colour from the subtle use of the different red cultivars: this light pink comes from the terroir, not the winemaking.