Bruno represents the current generation of the Laboucarié family managing their property, Domaine de Fontsainte, in the appellation of Corbières. He took the reins from his father Yves who remains very active at the domaine. Bruno’s grandfather died this year at the age of 102.5 years, one year younger than their vineyard they call La Demoiselle. - Kermit Lynch Website
Domaine de Fontsainte is located in the heart of the Corbières’ one of the appellation’s most beautiful and beneficent terroirs. Fontsainte's intensely sunny, gently sloping, south south-east facing vineyards shelter from cold north-east winds on the flank of a 500-hectare pinewood massif. The domain dominates the landscape around the hamlet of Boutenac, enjoying panoramic views. Fontsainte’s vineyards, just 90m in altitude, benefit from a pristine environment (far from industrial or urban developments) plus alternating Mediterranean and oceanic influences.
The name Fontsainte ('the saint’s fount') comes from the nearby 12th century Hermitage of Saint-Siméon, who became the patron saint of Boutenac. Two chateaux dominated the landscape in the middle ages: Fort Haut and Fort Bas. Only the latter remains today - it’s now the headquarters of the Corbières’ winegrowers syndicat.
Color: Ruby Red
Aroma: Initially there are hints of fresh cherries and blueberries, but the sweet earthy cocoa powder and subtle licorice quickly takeover. A well balanced red wine with delicate tannins and slightly acidic finish.
Blend: 70% Carignan; 20% Grenache; 10% Syrah
Eat with: Half Roasted Chicken or the Grilled Butchers Steak
Vineyard - Fontsainte is many vineyard parcels,(La Demoiselle, Les Oliviers, Le Four, Le Petit Nice...) each with its own particularities. The most celebrated is La Demoiselle (the official geological survey name), which gives its name to their wine La Demoiselle - its Carignan vines celebrated their 100th birthday in 2004.Fontsainte's diversity of parcels allows us to maximize the affinities between soil type, aspect, micro-climate and grape variety - to make great terroir wines. Recent replantings - including Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache Gris - have all benefited from exhaustive geology studies of Fontsainte's various parcels' soil structure.
Since Fontsainte's establishment in 1971, vineyard work has been environmentally-sustainable and driven by the credo: "great wines are made in the vineyard". strict pruning to old vines, new vines are trellis-trained; treatments are restricted to a minimum (about half of what's typical), localized and not systematic; harvesting is entirely by hand, using small crates.
Vinification: Innovation is a tradition at Fontsainte. They were among the first to practice carbonic maceration (vinifying whole grapes) and barrel aging. For them, innovation means looking forward - with thermo regulated 150 hl stainless steel vats - and backward - with traditional 200 hl cement vats, whose thermo stability is legendary. Every possible operation in the winery is gravity-fed, the cellars were designed to incorporate this advantage. - From the Domaine de Fontsainte Website
