Description
Formerly known as Etienne, La Dournie’s Pierres Chaudes cuvée remains a true charmer. Powerful yet delicate, robust yet silky: the Saint-Chinian paradox! A garnet colour with a beautiful lustre, a complex nose evolving towards ripe fruit and smoky notes, underpinned by a lovely freshness. A distinguished palate with notes of garrigue, almonds and toasted hazelnuts, flavours of very ripe morello cherries, and a fresh, slightly peppery finish. Decanted a good hour in advance, it will delight with any form of lamb.
The estate
Acquired in 1870 by the Etienne family, Château La Dournie was long a family-owned estate in Saint-Chinian, passed down from mother to daughter for over six generations. Its last representative, Véronique Etienne, has now handed over the reins to a new team led by Noémie Vidil. The latter is continuing the work undertaken by the estate under organic farming (certification completed in 2017), preserving the spirit of La Dournie: wines that are neither too flashy nor too ripe. Instead, they offer harmony and lightness, fruit and just the right concentration characteristic of schist soils.. [read more]
La Dournie’s Saint-Chinian Pierres Chaudes in detail
- Grape varieties: 60% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 15% Carignan
- Terroir: schist soils. The texture of these soils is sandy-loamy on the surface with a clayey gradient deeper down. This gives the wines finesse and aromatic power.
- Harvest: Hand-harvested.
- Vinification: Traditional vinification aimed at finesse and elegance. This cuvée is complemented by a portion aged in 400-litre barrels.
- Ageing: 12 months in vats and 12 months in oak barrels.
