Les Palombières 2005
Producer: Christophe Blanc
Variety: 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre
Country: France
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon
Background
Young Christophe Blanc is the owner and winemaker of this small
domaine, which is located in the heart of the Languedoc near the
Mediterranean Sea. The 25-hectare estate has been in Blanc’s
family for three generations. It has only 3.5 ha of Grenache, 2.5 ha
of Syrah and 1 ha of Mourvèdre. The vineyards are planted on the
gravelly hillsides behind the village of Pèzenas, this is one of the
warmest microclimate in the Languedoc. The vineyard is located
on the edge of a small forest where many Palombières or small
thatch hunting blinds for game birds can be found. This is a blend
of 60% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre and 20% Syrah and all of the
vines were planted in the late 1970’s. The Grenache is vinified
completely in tank while the Mourvèdre and Syrah are aged in new
oak for up to 1 year. Palombières offers up bold flavors of
blackberries, pepper and spice with hints of toast and earth. This
is a big wine with complete, expressive and complex, structured
flavors.
