Cabardès – Vent d’Est

VENT D’EST

Cabardès – Vent d’Est

$1.00

Country France
Region Languedoc-Roussillon
Producer Domaine de Cabrol
Size

750mL

Style Red
Practices Organic
Grapes Cabernet Franc, Syrah

Domaine de Cabrol started “Vent d’Est” in 1995 to fully express the potential of the Montagne Noire terroir. The altitude (350m high) results in two things:
1/ an intense aromatic expression given by grapes that reach full maturity, thanks to the dry and healthy air present  in September and October.
2/ a notable freshness/vivacity on the palate thanks to cooler nights.

Vent d’Est is a blend of a minimum of 60% Syrah and a maximum of 40% Cabernet Franc, from 15 to 25 year old vines. The Cabernet Franc comes from an amphitheater vineyard. The Syrah always come from the same three clay-limestone parcels: a natural terrace facing east (“la vigne longue” ou “la vigne serpent” – the “long vine” or the “snake vine”), a south-facing slope (“la Plage” – “the Beach”) and a very chalky slope (La Capitelle). They are located a few hundred meters from each other.

To preserve the expression of this terroir, no wood is used. The Cabernet Franc is destemmed, while the Syrah goes through carbonic maceration – Domaine de Cabrol always uses carbonic maceration for the Syrah, a long maceration in this case, in concrete tanks filled through the top then sealed. Both are assembled after about 10 months. The wine rests for a few additional months before being lightly fined, filtered and bottled.

Vent d’Est has been recognised several times as one of the greatest wines of the Languedoc. It offers a suave texture and incredible aromas of wild berries followed by black olives, black pepper and a hint of violet as it keeps evolving in the glass. The finish is long and complex. It has great ageing potential (15 to 20 years) and reaches its peak after about ten years of ageing, taking on aromas of truffle. 14% Alcohol.

“Some blackcurrant and bramble from the Cabernet Franc but it is the Syrah that ultimately dominates. Perfumed, with dark plum, tapenade, and a garrigue-scented finish of rosemary, lavender and thyme. Very fine tannins, high acid and a long chalky finish. Owner Nicolas Carayol, when asked to sum up what his wines are all about, said ‘energy’. This wine has it in spades. How he manages to combine his job as Professor of Economics at Bordeaux University and still make wines as good as this I’ll never know. 95/100” – Tim Atkin, MW

 

 

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About the Producer

In the rugged hills north of Carcassonne, on the southern flank of the Montagne Noire which separates Languedoc from the Massif Centralthe Mediterranean & Atlantic climates mingle to form a unique terroir, rich with biodiversity, where Grenache, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc can grow together. Scrub oak (garrigue) rubs shoulders with pines, olive trees, almond trees and wild thyme. 

Domaine de Cabrol’s vines (20 hectares out of the 150 hectares property) are spread out on hillsides and natural clay-limestone terraces at an altitude of 1150 feet, atop rock full of fossilized sea creatures from 90 million years ago. Recognizing the magic of this land, Nic Carayol’s dad, Claude, succeeded in creating the Cabardès appellation in 1999, advocating for its unique terroir. 
Since 2021, Nic has continued his family legacy honoring the proximity to nature (vines are irregularly planted between rocky outcroppings), minimization of inputs, precise vinification, and expression of the terroir. Through the Carayols’ leadership, Cabardès has become an appellation to discover.

Farming/vinification practices: Organic. 
The high elevation vineyards allow for a very long growing season. Nic harvests much later than his down-the-hill neighbors, mid to late October.

Domaine de Cabrol
You Tube : "Un jour au Domaine de Cabrol"

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