Cuvée 101 - Les Arbousiers 2020 75cl

The story of this wine begins in the 20th century, on the mythical territory of Fontfroide. Located at the heart of the Corbières appellation, Cuvée 101 showcases Carignan, the emblematic grape variety of the region. Sourced from a century-old single-plot vineyard first cultivated in 1920 by Paule Bertrand, Cuvée 101 reveals the finest potential of its terroir and the unique expertise of the Bertrand family.

Comments from Guillaume Barraud, Deputy Director of the Estates:

This is the second vintage of this cuvée, sourced predominantly from a century-old Carignan plot between Cigalus and Villemajou. This wine, also complemented by the oldest Grenache and Syrah plots of the Corbières terroir, expresses the determination of these winemakers who have preserved these old Carignan plots which, mellowed by time and the tramontane wind, display an excellent balance between yield and vigour, and an expression of a grape variety unique in the world within its natural home at the heart of the Corbières. The obvious choice of hand harvesting, harvest dates determined by daily tasting of the grapes, and finally the choice of carbonic maceration reveals the full aromatic diversity of these grapes with power and complexity. A wine for connoisseurs and lovers of the finest terroirs of the Languedoc.

Comments from Pierre-Alexis Menguel, Head Sommelier:

Between Cigalus and Château de Villemajou, these forgotten Carignan vines express the finest expression of Corbières: a nose of strawberry jam and liquorice, black pepper and peonies. On the palate the wine is marked by roundness and a very digestible, easy-drinking finish. 2020 is a vintage of balance and fruit-forward generosity with great ageing potential. 

After a manual harvest at optimal ripeness from single-plot vines, the Carignan grapes are harvested in whole bunches, then combined with the destemmed grapes for the Grenache. 

• Carignan
• Grenache Noir