Belle Lurette is an organic certified red Faugères AOP wine, featuring very old Carignan vines grown on mountain rocky schist.
Terroir and Vineyard
The wine comes from an exceptional terroir, mostly north-facing, in the schist rocks of upper Faugères, at 300m above sea level. The vines are deeply rooted in the schist. The vineyard primarily comprises 80-year-old Carignan vines (yielding 15 hl/ha) on north-facing schist slopes surrounding the cellar, complemented by some Mourvèdre and Grenache.
Winemaking Process
Grapes are handpicked in small crates from each parcel at strategic times. The custom-built cellar is dug into the rocks, situated in the middle of the old Carignan vines, allowing for gravity-fed processing. Each section of a parcel is vinified separately, partly in whole bunches, using indigenous yeasts. No sulfites are added during vinification. The winemaker employs soft pigeage techniques and controls temperature. The wine is aged for a few months without oak.
Wine Characteristics
Belle Lurette has an alcohol content of approximately 13%. It is described as a lively and elegant wine, astonishingly fresh and voluptuous, wrapped in silk. The nose is very savory with wild, intense, juicy red fruit notes reminiscent of "roast venison". The palate features nicely coated and lifted tannins that give Belle Lurette its distinctive personality.
Tasting Notes and Pairing
This wine showcases the unique character of old-vine Carignan grown in the Faugères terroir. Belle Lurette pairs well with grilled pork with sage, game, cassoulet with preserved duck, and a medley of old-fashioned vegetables.