Terroir to Boast About
by Tom Wolf
Terroir to Boast About
by Tom Wolf
When I asked the Laboucarié family recently if the golden accents on their labels are a nod to their sliver of Corbières known as the Golden Crescent, I was surprised to hear that artistic choice was a total coincidence. After all, this area is prime land in Corbières—the kind of terroir you would want to call out anytime you get the opportunity.
As you might guess from the name, the Golden Crescent is one of the sunniest swaths of this Languedoc appellation, and Fontsainte’s vines enjoy ideal south–southeast exposure, allowing them to soak up plenty of the abundant southern sunlight. But, to balance this out, breezes from the nearby Mediterranean refresh the vineyards throughout the hot summer and keep them dry, yielding perfectly ripe and healthy Carignan, Grenache, and Syrah. For the domaine’s Gris de Gris rosé, a perennial favorite, this terroir yields crisp, bright fruit alongside plenty of citrus and a little spice. In the Corbières rouge, the domaine’s old vines give the wine’s fun, lighthearted essence a touch of soul, depth, and savoriness. Dark fruit, stones, and a whisper of black olive come together for one of the great introductions to Corbières. And finally, made mostly from the Languedoc’s great red grape, Carignan, from vines planted as far back as 1904, La Demoiselle achieves that rare feat of delivering class, charm, and complexity whether you open it right after release or twenty years later. With notes of dark fruit, leather, and spice, and an abundance of soul, the 2022 vintage is no exception.
Wines In The Collection
Domaine de Fontsainte France | Languedoc-Roussillon
A cold glass hits the spot every single time, bursting over the taste buds with bright citrus, wild strawberry, and a juicy finish that makes one’s mouth water in anticipation of the next sip.
Domaine de Fontsainte France | Languedoc-Roussillon
A vibrant country red that mixes the trademark notes of the South with beguiling elegance and drinkability.
Domaine de Fontsainte France | Languedoc-Roussillon
The vines have been soaking up Mediterranean sunshine for the past century and a quarter, and they give it all back in each toothsome, rosemary-scented sip.
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
A cold glass hits the spot every single time, bursting over the taste buds with bright citrus, wild strawberry, and a juicy finish that makes one’s mouth water in anticipation of the next sip.
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
A vibrant country red that mixes the trademark notes of the South with beguiling elegance and drinkability.
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
The vines have been soaking up Mediterranean sunshine for the past century and a quarter, and they give it all back in each toothsome, rosemary-scented sip.
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