This wine grown in the neighbouring village of Gigondas, called Sablet, combines Viognier from Condrieu to Mediterranean grape varieties: Bourboulenc and Grenache blanc- both accustomed to the hot climate and the strong Mistral wind – add lemon and sweetness to it, while Clairette blanc comes in with floral aromas that enhance the wine’s complexity.
A wine suits to all summer recipes you may imagine: green olive paste, grilled fish and vegetables, goat cheese with rosemary, sweet honey melons. Whatever you choose, it will surely give coolness and liveliness to your long summer nights…
Le Cèdre Cahors - First impressions of the 2011 vintage
After proliferous rainfall in March and April, the Weather was predominantly dry in May and June. Flourishing (one of the most important periods during the year of the vigneron) passed under a brilliantly blue sky in June, without meteorological perturbances. This period was followed by a rather fresh climate and scattered showers in July, and a real summer August you may dream of.
Château du Cèdre - Grands vins de Cahors
Pascal goûte les graines de Malbec avant les vendanges
The vines
They did not suffer, neither from the rainfalls at springtime, nor from drought in summer. Being in advance of the normal rhythm of vegetational growth, the plants took advantage as well from the well fed deeper groundwater, as from abundant sunshine, with the result of a fine green foliage. Even at the end of August, the grapes were still surrounded by dark green leaves.
Harvest
Harvest started on august 31st with our Viognier. The grapes were perfectly healthy and very tasty. The yield amounted to about 30 hl/ha, with a total alcohol of 13%vol and a fresh, crispy acidity. Thus, we expect a perfect balance for this white wine. The first Malbecs were harvested on September 12th under a clear blue sky. A premature year, characterized by uniform ripeness in all our vineyards. The last grapes arrived in the cellar on September 22nd, to remain on skins for several weeks, followed by ripening in barrels during months.
Thus, you may take patience before you will be able to taste this promising year. Fortunately, we still have wines from 2008 and the following years available, to make the time of waiting appear short...
Domaine de l’Arjolle - The Cuvée Équilibre 2010 rewarded by the Guide Hachette
Côtes de Thongue, Domaine de l’Arjolle Cuvée Équilibre 2010 **
Viognier-Sauvignon
“The Domaine de l’Arjolle needs no introduction anymore, as it has been presented in our guide for many years. The same wine had been already awarded with a “Coup de Cœur” on the vintage 2008, and something magic still goes on in this 2010: a remarkable fusion of fruit (citrus and passion fruit) and flowers (white flowers, hawthorn and roses), with a long and refreshing palate. Altogether, a perfect liaison between the liveliness of Sauvignon and the powerful fragrances of Viognier. Perfect for an aperitif!”
VIDEO - Harvest at the Domaine de l’Arjolle, Côtes de Thongue, in southern France
We picked the grapes of our „High Densitiy“ Viognier vineyard (Domaine de l’Arjolle – Côtes de Thongue) at the end of August. This vineyard has been planted with some 8000 vines per hectare (instead of 5000 vines per hectare, more usual in southern France). The picking was done by hand, and in a convivial atmosphere... like every year.
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