Domaine Astruc, d'A Carignan vieille vignes

The Carignan vineyards of Domaine Astruc are located at the foot of the Pyrenees and this makes these vineyards a lot cooler than the rest of the Languedoc region, producing wines that offer refinement and elegance. The Carignan grapes come from very old vines (hence the Vieilles Vignes classification or old vines). The yield of the vines is very low. The Carignan grapes are fermented in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature. The wine then matures in American oak (70%, a mix of new, one and two year old barrels) and French oak (30%, one and two years old) for six months. This wine is deep purple in colour with a ruby red hue and has aromas of cocoa, black currants followed by impressions of strawberries and toast. Full, rich in taste with soft tannins and a long finish. Excellent to serve with various types of red meat, game and cheeses.

Aquired in 2002 by Jean-Claude Mas, the château is situated at the foot of the Pyrenean Mountain range, between 200 and 300 metres above sea level in the Limoux region (120 km from the coast). According to the history books, the world’s first ever sparkling wines were made in Limoux, in 1544.

Domaine Astruc comprises 80 hectares in AOP Limoux (coastal zone) AOP Malepère and IGP Pays d’Oc, of which 25 hectares are certified organic and 55 are farmed sustainably (certified by Terra Vitis). The Malras site is home to the main wine cellar and bottling line. It benefits from a significant amount of rain in winter as well as cold winds which extend the ripening season.

The harvest is carried out both by hand and by machine. The Guyot simple and Cordon de Royat pruning methods are employed. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Mauzac, Grenache and Syrah aged around 20 years old thrive in the clay-limestone soils. The planting density is 5400 vines per hectare and the yield is 45 hl/ha.