Discover a new wine soon

You have maybe never heard of Alvarinho… but that’s quite understandable. In fact, this grape variety from Galicia and northern Portugal is only present in France here, in this confidential enclave of the Corbières, where conditions here are absolutely ideal: freshness, natural misting, slow maturity… A new wine for January 2020… if everything goes to plan.

Harvest time

Another very unusual year. Would you believe us if we reminded you that spring was very cool, followed by an extremely dry heatwave? Harvesting only began on September 11 at Argentiès. And to predict what our wines will be like…? Well, it’s a little early to say. We prefer to comment on the results. So, watch this space…
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LOCAL SOLUTIONS TO COMBAT GLOBAL DISORDER

From the stream at the foot of the castle, right up to Mont Alaric lie some 430 hectares for which we are entirely responsible.

ORGANIC AND BIODYNAMIC

In an exceptional setting, certain choices come naturally.
Right from our arrival, we committed the estate to an organic approach with biodynamic cultivation.
We labour and enrich our soils naturally, using our own compost, we work according to lunar cycles and intervene very little in the cellars.
Gentle gestures, nurturing the character of this micro-terroir.

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AGROFORESTRY

We have planted no fewer than 100 different varieties of fruit trees to maintain the biodiversity of our environment. The 150 or so beehives on our estate have been become permanent, thanks to the richness of the surrounding nature.
We have also planted 700 olive trees and 200 almond trees to diversify our crops.

A CONSERVATORY OF 15 GRAPE VARIETIES

Of course, the estate boasts the region’s principal grape varieties: Syrah, Grenache noir, Grenache gris, Grenache blanc, Carignan, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Merlot, Marselan, Muscat and Vermentino.
In addition, it also has some rootstock vines: Viognier, Picpoul, but also Alvarinho, a famous white grape variety of Portuguese origin, planted exclusively in this enclave of the Corbières. We also have what certainly represents its 1st renaissance, a stock of Castets, an ancient Bordeaux grape variety which is in danger of extinction.
This diversity represents an exceptional asset in the vineyard and an equally exceptional and exciting challenge in the winery.

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FOCUS ON A MICRO-TERROIR

 

In the south of France, not far from Carcassonne, Château Argentiès nestles on the edge of the medieval village of Lagrasse, in the Haut Languedoc: 55 hectares vines on the southern slopes of Mont Alaric.

ALARIC

This small mountain, which rises to an altitude of 600 metres, is a symbol in its own right. Standing on the northern foothills of the Corbières, it marks the boundary between Mediterranean and Atlantic influences.

The soils and environment around Mont Alaric mountain are the coolest in the appellation, the most westerly part of the Corbières. Protected by the mountains from the excesses of the Mediterranean climate, Syrah and Grenache thrive here. The grapes ripen slowly but surely, taking advantage of a warm climate, even if the continental influence is clear.

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ARGENTIÈS, A MAJOR ESTATE

The vineyard sits on the southern side of Mont Alaric. Its altitude, exposure and hillsides offer perfect conditions: high temperature variations between night and day, excellent soil drainage, sustained and regular sunshine and winds tempered by the mountains.

Planted around the lake, the vines benefit from an exceptional natural misting.

A PLACE OF HUMANITY AND PROJECTS

 

In times gone by and still today, Château Argentiès has never left anyone indifferent, from serving as a place of pilgrimage for monks from Lagrasse Abbey to a refuge for laymen in search of authenticity.

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A HUMAN STORY

The most beautiful stories are born of chance meetings… The authenticity of the site won over Pierre-Alain. Blen inspired its contours, identity and character. And these audacious pioneers went on to meet Benjamin, the intrepid adventurer who today runs the estate and guides its development

Multiple projects are underway: an agricultural estate, a holiday centre… the next few years will be lively.

EXCEPTIONAL SPACE

At 430 hectares, more than double the size of Monaco, Château Argentiès stretches from its source at the peak of Mont Alaric down to the flourishing valley, encompassing a tree lined hamlet in its centre.
The Château’s 3000m² gardens inspire a stroll between shaded hedges, from the stone amphitheatre along to the fountain and the bread oven. The adjacent chapel opens onto a large meadow surrounded by dry stone walls enclosing an orange grove. A dream come true for celebrating and sharing special moments.

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A HAVEN OF PEACE

Restoration of the two hundred year old residence is close to completion. The central stone staircase serves wide expanses of space. We have paid very close attention to detail to combine aesthetics and comfort. Each room has its own personality through a combination of stone, marble, wood and art.

PROJECTS AND PLANS

This wonderful setting stimulates creativity and emulation within our team, working towards an inviting and informative wine cellar and the restoration of our old buildings.

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WINES

From our biodynamically grown grapes, we aim to capture the exceptional character of this terroir in our bottles.
Our fresh and powerful wines communicate our permanent quest for the delicacy of pleasure.

THE DNA

Alaric Rosé

Grenache 35%,
Syrah 33%,
Cinsault 32%

A fragrant and elegant bouquet in a floral register. Rich and fresh on the palate, with volume.

Alaric White

Grenache Blanc 80%,
Picpoul 15%,
Viognier 5%.

Delicate, flowery nose. Fresh and dynamic on the palate.

Alaric Red

Grenache 48%, Syrah 33%, Carignan 19%.

Nose of red fruit, full bodied and fleshy on the palate, a long finish on notes of freshness.

Alaric Rosé

Grenache 35%,
Syrah 33%,
Cinsault 32%

A fragrant and elegant bouquet in a floral register. Rich and fresh on the palate, with volume.

Alaric White

Grenache Blanc 80%,
Picpoul 15%,
Viognier 5%.

Delicate, flowery nose. Fresh and dynamic on the palate.

Alaric Red

Grenache 48%, Syrah 33%, Carignan 19%.

Nose of red fruit, full bodied and fleshy on the palate, a long finish on notes of freshness.

Alaric Rosé

Grenache 35%,
Syrah 33%,
Cinsault 32%

A fragrant and elegant bouquet in a floral register. Rich and fresh on the palate, with volume.

Alaric White

Grenache Blanc 80%,
Picpoul 15%,
Viognier 5%.

Delicate, flowery nose. Fresh and dynamic on the palate.

Alaric Red

Grenache 48%, Syrah 33%, Carignan 19%.

Nose of red fruit, full bodied and fleshy on the palate, a long finish on notes of freshness.

PLOT SELECTION

PIÈCE NOBLE

Plot selection..
Syrah 45%,
grenache 55%,
Yield 25hl/ha

Harvested in small crates, table sorted, vinified per grape variety, free-run juice only.

A generous palate, noble tannins, beautiful structure.

L’AIGLE

Syrah 55%,
old carignan 45%,
Yield 25hl/ha

Harvesting in small crates, table sorting, vinification per grape variety, manual cap punching, gentle maturing for 10 months in 500L barrels.

Notes of red fruit and leather. A balanced, complex, elegant palate.

PIÈCE NOBLE

Plot selection..
Syrah 45%,
grenache 55%,
Yield 25hl/ha

Harvested in small crates, table sorted, vinified per grape variety, free-run juice only.

A generous palate, noble tannins, beautiful structure.

L’AIGLE

Syrah 55%,
old carignan 45%,
Yield 25hl/ha

Harvesting in small crates, table sorting, vinification per grape variety, manual cap punching, gentle maturing for 10 months in 500L barrels.

Notes of red fruit and leather. A balanced, complex, elegant palate.

PIÈCE NOBLE

Plot selection..
Syrah 45%,
grenache 55%,
Yield 25hl/ha

Harvested in small crates, table sorted, vinified per grape variety, free-run juice only.

A generous palate, noble tannins, beautiful structure.

L’AIGLE

Syrah 55%,
old carignan 45%,
Yield 25hl/ha

Harvesting in small crates, table sorting, vinification per grape variety, manual cap punching, gentle maturing for 10 months in 500L barrels.

Notes of red fruit and leather. A balanced, complex, elegant palate.

GRAPE VARIETIES

Availability early 2020

Alvarinho

This grape variety from Galicia and northern Portugal only exists in France on the Lagrasse plateau, which offers the right conditions to enhance its exceptional floral notes.

OLD CARIGNAN

Land of the Carignan, where we have kept our finest plots intact, where twisted vines offer concentrated, yet amazingly fresh, juice.

Alvarinho

This grape variety from Galicia and northern Portugal only exists in France on the Lagrasse plateau, which offers the right conditions to enhance its exceptional floral notes.

OLD CARIGNAN

Land of the Carignan, where we have kept our finest plots intact, where twisted vines offer concentrated, yet amazingly fresh, juice.

Alvarinho

This grape variety from Galicia and northern Portugal only exists in France on the Lagrasse plateau, which offers the right conditions to enhance its exceptional floral notes.

OLD CARIGNAN

Land of the Carignan, where we have kept our finest plots intact, where twisted vines offer concentrated, yet amazingly fresh, juice.