SUD-OUEST

C a h o r s Our vineyard has the originality to contain into its 45 hectares all the types of soil that makes the Cahors. On the terraces of the Lot, the vineyard is made of subsoil composed of old alluvium and limestone plateau with clay and marl. Composed of 85% of Auxerrois and 15% of Merlot, the vine stocks of the Pineraie are on the 2nd and 3rd terraces and on the limestone plateau. A dozen hectares are placed on the commune of Lacapelle Cabannac. The lower parts of the vineyard are clay while the higher parts are clay, limestone and hard flint.

One vineyard, 3 wines CHÂTEAU PINERAIE The Chateau Pineraie is hand sorted according to very strict specifications. It is aged 12 months in oak barrels. It is made of 85% Cot and 15% Merlot, this wine contains all the specificity of the Cahors. It is aged in order to obtain soft tannin, with a productivity of about 4.500 liters per hectare. All the grapes, harvested either by man or machine, are hand sorted. Wines from Château Pineraie...

F r o n t o n As you leave Toulouse, you can see the Fronton area and its vines tumbling down the wide terraces between the rivers of the Tarn and the Garonne. At first sight, they look like any other vineyard, but in fact they contain a rare varietal, the Négrette. Where does it come from, this vine? There's little doubt that it's Cyprus, brought back after the Crusades. But it has always found itself at home in the ferriferous quartz gravel here, and it has always given wines marked by a powerful scent of violets (blackberry / bilberry / violet) and a dominating aftertaste. Fronton (from the name of the village wine co-operative) is the nickname given to the AOC "Côtes du Frontonnais", so dear to the people of Toulouse.

Set course for the FRONTON area CHÂTEAU BELLEVUE LA FORÊT   Bellevue la Forêt is a very famous, large Fronton estate. One of our favourites in this little region, it works on the principle that each varietal must suit its vineyard. The wine from this Chateau is made from the best varietals, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon 25% combined, 16% of Syrah (Shiraz), 7% Gamay Noir and last but not least 52% of the Négrette, exclusive to the appellation and which is found nowhere else in the World. Wines From Bellevue la Forêt...

G a i l l a c Situated in the north of the Tarn department the Gaillac Appellation area covers 2500 hectares spread over 73 communes for an AOC production of over 165.000 hectolitres. Today, the appellation gathers around one hundred independent producers and 3 cooperative cellars. The three different terroirs and the age of the vineyard enable Gaillac to offer numerous traditional grape varieties.

At the heart of the vineyard Gaillacois... CHÂTEAU MARESQUE   Château Maresque a 25 acres, more than three century old wine-estate, is situated at the heart of the vineyard Gaillacois, at the right bank of River Tarn, on the Gaillac hills between Cordes, Albi and Gaillac... Wines From Château Maresque...

J u r a n ç o n The topography of the Monein slopes optimizes the sun shine effects and a good maturation of the grapes. Bordenave, it is all the attachment of a family to exalt the roots of a soil. Here, our bonds are old, sincere and generous, and we always remained humble in front of the force of the ground and the value of each moment. The mountain rigor, the softness of the ocean and a good rain repartition allow a harmonious wine development. These characteristics also protect our grape variety from the harmful effect of the spring frozen...

A secular history... DOMAINE BORDENAVE   The Bordenave field, located at the heart of the Jurançon appellation in Monein, is one of the oldest properties of the area, exploited by father and son or girl since 1676. Following important investments in the wine storehouses and of the reorganization of the vineyard, the field presented its first vintage year in 1993... Wines From Domaine BORDENAVE...

M a d i r a n Madiran (red) and Pacherenc du Vic Bilh (white) are grown in the same area, on south facing terrasses looking out towards the Pyrenees. Madirans, very much influenced by the Tannat grape, are bitter and tannic in youth, but after five or six years aging become warm and full bodied.

One of the stars of the appelation DOMAINE LAFFITTE TESTON   Jean-Marc LAFFITTE, proprietor of the domaine de Teston at MAUMUSSON, a typical village of the Madiran area, is one of the stars who honour the appellation. The LAFFITTE family, with a long winemaking tradition cultivate their vines - often very old (some over 70 years old) - consisting of 60% Tannat grapes and 40% of Cabernets (Franc and Sauvignon), with all the good sense and patience of the countryman. Wines From Domaine Laffitte Teston...