Carignan Vieilles Vignes
IGP Oc
Château de Cabriac is situated on a series of east-west facing hills at the foot of the northern slopes of the Alaric mountain, in the Corbières massif. This location, in the shade of this massif, which tempers the aggressiveness of the Mediterranean summer and prevents heatstroke, is a very important quality asset.
This location was appreciated very early on. The Romans built a villa here. In 1215, the Knights Templar founded a priory dedicated to St Martin. During the French Revolution, Château de Cabriac was sold to the Berlioz family as property belonging to the clergy, whose last heir sold it to the de Cibeins family in 1945.
The estate covers 80 hectares of vines, 45 in Corbières and 35 in vins de pays.
The AOP Corbières reds are Grenache Noir 26%, Syrah 38%, Mourvèdre 14% and Carignan 19%, plus 3% Cinsault for the rosés. The Carignan vines are over 50 years old.
The whites are: rolle 40%, grenache blanc 47% and roussanne 13%.
The soils are sandstone and sandstone marl, always alkaline, slightly chalky, silty and clayey, which warm up quickly. Low in fertility and shallow to medium in depth, they allow the Mediterranean grape varieties to express their aromatic qualities.
Pruning is adapted to the grape variety: gobelet pruning for old vines, Royat pruning for older plantations.
Organic fertilisation, “lutte raisonnée” disease control.
Average age of vines: 75 years.
Yield: 20hl/ha.
Vinification: destemming. punching down and délestage. Temperature control.
Maceration: 20 days.
Ageing: Aged in vats, then bottled.
Drink at 16°C – 18°C.
Aromas of ripe red fruit, redcurrants and blackcurrants, with a hint of spice. On tasting, the wine is well-structured, round and full. The fruit aromas are followed by mellow tannins with good persistence.
Try with : Beef carpaccio with parmigiano, stuffed tomatoes , Irish stew.