The Red Varieties

Tannat

From the South West of France, Tannat produces aromas of dark stone fruit and give the blends backbone and structure. Its wines are big and rich with a very long finish.

 

Cabernet Franc

Originally from the Spanish Basque country, this variety is now present in numerous French regions under different names (Breton in Val de Loire, Bouchet in Médoc.). Rarely made into wine on its own (except for rosé), Cabernet Franc makes the South West wines from tannic varieties more supple.

 

Cabernet Sauvignon

Grown in Gascony since time immemorial, its characters and aromas are here redolent of the wild hill country of South West France. Full of aroma, this variety brings to our blends its pungent bouquet, structure and length.

 

Pinenc

This very old variety had almost disappeared. Its rediscovery has been vital in bringing an unmistakable stamp to our wines. Highly aromatic, the very flowery scents of young wines develop with age into a bouquet full of wilder countryside aromas. Supple and soft when the wine is kept only briefly on the skins, if steeped longer it can also add balance and structure

 

The White Varieties

 

Petit Courbu

This pale-coloured grape is aromatic, perfuming a wine with delicate yet powerful floral aromas combined with smells of well-ripened fruit. In the mouth, it makes for a forceful wine and ample roundness and length.

 

Arrufiac

A clear pale yellow, it has light, fresh aromas, flowery and harmonious. On the palate, it possesses softness and finesse.

 

The two Mansengs

Pale yellow, very clear with a hint of green, they have a light nose, lively and fresh (citrus and passion fruit). In the mouth, they give the wines structure, providing body and framework as well as liveliness.