CHÂTEAU VILLENOUVETTE
Located at the foot of hills covered with garrigue scrubland, between the villages of Névian and Ornaisons, the estate of Villenouvette forms a vineyard of 100 hectares on the right bank of the river Orbieu. This capricious tributary of the river Aude has shaped alluvial terraces and limestone hills for over 130,000 years. The stony plots that stretch between the fertile plain and the arid ridges swept by the tramontane offer ideal conditions for cultivating traditional Languedoc grape varieties such as Carignan and Grenache. On the edge of the river Orbieu, the cooler and deeper soil allows the feet of Merlot and Pinot Noir to flourish under the Mediterranean sunshine. As the harvest approaches, the solar heat accumulated during the day by the pebbles on the surface of the soil is returned during the night, thus accelerating the ripening of the fruit. Thanks to its semi-buried architecture, the winery, built on the hillside, allows gravitational wine-making and ageing of wines at an optimal temperature.
Domaine de Villenouvette
Chemin d'Ornaisons
11200 Névian
History
According to archives, the existence of the estate is first mentioned in the 12th century, under the name of Villa Noveta. This former property of the Benedictine monks of Saint-Chinian was acquired in 1175 by the Cistercian community of the Rieunette abbey. Under the direction of the nuns of Rieuenette, the estate of Villenouvette enjoyed prosperity for more than 600 years.
During the Revolution, the domain was nationalised and declared property of the district of Narbonne. Sold in 1791 to a leading family of the region, the old monastic domain was gradually transformed while viticulture took an increasingly important place. The old convent building was demolished in 1860 to make way for the current château (completed in 1870). After the phylloxera crisis, the increase in winemaking activity meant the need for construction of a new winery by the end of the 19th century. During the 20th century, the estate changed ownership several times and went through various periods of opulence and difficulty following changes and crises encountered by Languedoc viticulture.
In 1982, the Barsalou family took over the vineyard and the winery of Château Villenouvette with the aim of developing the production of quality red wines. The improvement of winemaking tools was followed from the 2010s by the restoration of the built and landscaped heritage of the site, currently under renovation.
Château Villenouvette
"Les Balmades" is a temporary brook that runs along the southern border of Château Villenouvette’s vineyard. It flows from limestone hills to the Orbieu river. A large part of our plots classified as area of protected origin (A.O.P.) are situated along this stream. Its name comes from the Occitan "balmada" which means scree. The hillside vines grown to make this wine are deeply rooted in a very mineral soil composed of calcareous colluvium and alluvium dating from the last ice ages.
The Balmades cuvée is a blend of Carignan noir, Syrah and Grenache noir. This supple and balanced wine with aromas of wild berries and spices is an ideal accompaniment for red meat or poultry.
VINTAGE : 2020
CERTIFICATION : A.O.P. Corbières, H.V.E.
A.B.V. : 14 % vol.
VOLUME : 75 cL
CLOSURE : wooden cork
SOIL
Rounded pebbles, limestone colluvium and subsoil.
VARIETIES
Carignan, Grenache Noir and Syrah.
WINEMAKING
Traditional wine-making method of the destemmed grapes, each variety being vatted separately. 15% of the Carignan noir has been aged in barrels during 12 months before the final blend.
SERVING TEMPERATURE
Between 15 °C and 18 °C.
TASTING
EYE : bright crimson
NOSE : floral aromas and fresh scents of berries.
PALATE : full-bodied blend with complex savours of spices and ripe fruits. Delicate tannins and long finish.
WINE & FOOD PAIRING
Roast beef, duck breast with honey.
Château Villenouvette
Powerful wine with dainty ripe fruits flavours, the Cuvée Marcel Barsalou from Château Villenouvette was created to pay tribute to the grandfather of Jean-Yves et Éric Barsalou. A small landowner from a modest background, Marcel, first worked in the local agricultural supplies trade before devoting himself fully to farming and viticulture. With his wife Louise, winegrowers’ daughter, he passed on the love of the land to his descendants.
Marcel Barsalou
Marcel Barsalou (1909 - 1999)
VINTAGE : 2017
CERTIFICATION : A.O.P. Corbières
A.B.V. : 14,5 % vol.
VOLUME : 75 cL
CLOSURE : wooden cork
GEOLOGY
Rounded pebbles, limestone colluvium and subsoil.
VARIETIES
Carignan and Syrah.
WINEMAKING
The Carignan noir undergoes a carbonic maceration while the Syrah follows a more classic vinification with destemming. The vatting lasts three weeks. After blending, the alcoholic fermentation ends in oak casks. Aging lasts twelve months.
SERVING TEMPERATURE
Between 17 °C and 20 °C.
TASTING
EYE : dark garnet, vermilion at the edge.
NOSE : notes of dry fig, black olive, white pepper. Then, aromas of cherries, currant syrup, chocolate and a hint of nutmeg.
PALATE : soft spices and minerals savors, evolved elements of truffle and coffee with red fruits dominating a long finish.
WINE & FOOD PAIRING
Boar stew, grilled lamb ribs.
AWARDS
Competition of the Independent French Winegrowers 2023
Vintage 2021
Gold medal 🥇
Competition of the Independent French Winegrowers 2020
Vintage 2018
Gold medal 🥇
International Wine Report
Vintage 2017
92/100 pts.
Competition of the Independent French Winegrowers 2019
Vintage 2017
Gold medal 🥇
General Agricultural Competition of Paris 2019
Vintage 2017
Gold medal 🥇
Château Villenouvette
For millions of years, the Orbieu river, formerly known as “Orbion”, has shaped limestone slopes. The ancient layers of rounded pebbles offer an ideal soil for the production of great wines. The Carignan and Mourvèdre grapes, carefully harvested by hand for this small batch, are fermented by carbonic maceration. After aging in oak barrels for eighteen months, the blend elegantly reveals the exquisite qualities of the terroir. A generous and long-lasting wine, with fruity aromas and silky tannins, Orbion is a perfect match for the most delicate of dishes.
VINTAGE : 2017
CERTIFICATION : A.O.P. Corbières
A.B.V. : 14,5 % vol.
VOLUME : 75 cL
CLOSURE : wooden cork
GEOLOGY
Ancient alluvial terraces of rounded pebbles and limestone colluvium.
VARIETIES
Carignan and Mourvèdre.
WINEMAKING
Carbonic maceration is practiced with the Carignan with a vatting of three weeks. After blending the two grape juices, the alcoholic fermentation ends in French oak barrels. Aging in barrels lasts eighteen months
SERVING TEMPERATURE
Between 17 °C and 20 °C.
TASTING
EYE : dark and deep red with purple hues.
NOSE : aromas of prune and licorice, light notes of vanilla.
MOUTH: generous and powerful attack, savours of red fruits and licorice on silky tannins. Long and elegant finish with savours of vanilla and toast.
WINE & FOOD PAIRING
Venison in huntsman sauce, rabbit with mustard.
Importer Connection
Vintage 2017
92/100 points