Our History
Located in the heart of the Languedoc-Roussillon region, in the south of France,
Château Cabezac is a vineyard of 25 hectares classified in AOP Minervois.
Chateau Cabezac
Languedoc Wines
Passionate wine enthusiast Gontran Dondain, created the estate in 1997, excited by its enormous potential.
He worked tirelessly to improve the vineyards, restructure and modernise the estate. His daughter Stephanie, who learned the craft at her father’s side has now taken over the reins to build upon his legacy.
Our Estate
The Château Cabezac estate is located in the communes of Bize Minervois, Agel and Ginestas. The property is spread over 5 localities in appellation Minervois Protégée.
Our Wines
The vineyard is located on the foothills of Causse, at the foot of the Montagne Noire, and includes 4 types of exceptional terroirs, all complementary to the development of our different vintages.
Muscat Sec
Denomination: IGP Pays d’Oc, White
Grape Varieties and Terroirs
100% Muscat Petits Grains.
Our only plot of Muscat is situated on the “Belvèze” plateau. This terrace is composed of metamorphic stones from glacial deposit of the Montagne Noire. It is gravely clay schist and slightly acid.
Vinification
This very sensitive grape variety is vinified as a classic dry white wine.
Aging
Aging on fine lees in a stainless steel vat for 6 months.
Tasting Notes
This wine has a bright pale yellow robe, and an intense nose, at once fresh and fruity which opens up to reveal notes of exotic fruits such as lychee and mango. The palate is crisp and dynamic and possesses subtle aromas of verbena and mint. Delicate and fine.
Alcohol Content: 13.5%vol.
Yield: 45hl/ha
5.50 €
Cuvée Alice
Denomination: AOP Minervois, White
Grape Varieties and Terroirs
This wine is a blend of Grenache Blanc, Maccabeu and Roussanne. The terroir is situated on the bed of recent alluvium deposits composed of round pebbles.
Vinification
The juice obtained by pneumatically pressing the grapes is cold settled and then fermented in thermo-regulated steel vats.
Aging
Aging takes place in stainless steel vats.
Tasting Notes
Bestowed with a pale yellow robe and silvery reflections, the nose expresses lemon aromas with notes of aniseed. The palate is soft, round and pleasantly fresh.
Alcohol content: 13.5% vol.
Yield: 45 hl/ha.
Awards and Scores
Previous Vintage :
Concours Général de Paris : Silver Medal
Bettane & Desseauve Prix Plaisir : Silver Medal
6.50 €
Rosé
Denomination: AOP Minervois, Rosé
Grape Varieties and Terroirs
Syrah, Grenache Noir. The Belvèze plateau, characterized by metamorphic stones from glacial deposits of the Montagne Noire and gravely clay schist. This terroir offers the Syrah mouthwatering notes of strawberry jam. The Cascal terroir consists of well drained pebbly ground.
Vinification
The free run juice, resulting from direct pneumatic pressing, is run off and the must then goes through a process of cold settling. The wine is then fermented in thermo-regulated steel vats.
Aging: Aging takes place in stainless steel vats.
Tasting Notes
The pale robe is the colour of pink rose petals The nose is a medley of red fruit aromas, strawberry, raspberry and blackcurrant. The palate is fresh, crisp, fruity and ample.
Alcohol content: 13.5% vol.
Yield: 30 hl/ha.
6.50 €
Tradition
Denomination: AOP Minervois, Red
Grape Varieties and Terroirs
Syrah, Grenache Noir, Carignan.
This Cuvee represents the traditional know-how of the Minervois. These grapes varieties, emblematic of the appellation, together to result in a generous and accessible red wine.
Vinification
After being picked, the grapes are de-stemmed and crushed. The vinification and the maceration last between 15 and 20 days. A ‘soft’ extraction is performed by a gentle pumping over daily.
Aging: In stainless steel and cement vats
Tasting Notes
The deep red colored robe features purple reflections. The nose at first marked by notes of spices and pepper then opens up to reveal aromas of red fruits. The palate is suave, round and full with hints of rosemary and licorice, and is typical of the Minervois.
Alcohol Content: 14% vol.
Yield: 45hl/ha.
Awards and Scores
Robert Parker Wine Advocate : 90 points
Paris Competition Agricole : Gold Medal
Macon Competition: Silver Medal
6.50 €
Petit Arthur
Denomination: AOP Minervois, Red
Grape Varieties and Terroirs
This cuvée is a blend of Mourvèdre, Syrah, Grenache Noir and Carignan Old Vines. The plots are found on the Belvèze plateau, composed of pebbly schist, quartz, and gravel. This superb quality terroir is characterized by a high content of organic matter and stones.
Vinification
The grapes are harvested entirely by hand, de-stemmed, crushed and placed in tanks for a maceration lasting for around two weeks. To carefully extract the tannins, small quantities are pumped over daily. Each of the vats is subject to a daily tasting by our œnologue, to effect the best possible fermentation.
Aging
Aged in tanks for a natural expression of the fruits.
Tasting Notes
With a bright garnet red robe, this wine is skillfully made to extract the best of the terroir. The nose at first evokes the aromas of the garrigue (wild herbs), evolving towards ripe black fruits. The palate is round with mellow tannins and finishes on aromas of prune, red fruits, and leather.
Alcohol Content: 14.5% vol.
Yield: 40hl/ha
Awards and Scores
Macon Competition: Gold Medal
9.50 €
Les Capitelles
Denomination: AOP Minervois, White
Grape Varieties and Terroirs
This Cuvee is a blend of Roussanne and Grenache Blanc. The Roussanne plot is situated on the south-facing slopes of Le Pech in Bize-Minervois and comprises of a sandstone soil. The Grenache Blanc plot, is situated on the Belvèze plateau.
Vinification
The grapes are pressed whole immediately after picking in the traditional champagne style, with the juice allowed to drain naturally through the stems to ensure gentle extraction. Fermentation takes place in clean and tannin-free, new French oak barrels.
Aging
Whilst aging, the lees are regularly stirred gently, to obtain the desired volume and fullness. This aging lasts for 6 months in new and one-year-old French oak barrels.
Tasting Notes
The bright robe is pale yellow with golden reflections. An intense nose, with a hint of lemon it has a bouquet of orange zest, orange blossom, intermingled with aromas of toasted hazelnuts, cocoa, and butter. The palate has a touch of vanilla, good volume, and an elegant finesse.
Alcohol Content: 13.5%vol.
Yield: 25hl/ha
Awards and Scores
Previous Vintages
Guide Hachette *
Berlin Wine Trophy: Gold Medal
International Wine Challenge: Gold Medal and Trophy for Best Minervois White Wine
10.90 €
Cuvée Arthur
Denomination: AOP Minervois, Red
Grape Varieties and Terroirs
This Cuvee is a blend of Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Grenache Noir. The plots are situated on the Belvèze plateau pebbly schist, quartz and gravel. This superb quality terroir is characterized by a high content of organic matter and stones. The vines which are used to produce Cuvée Arthur are characterized by pruning in a low goblet style so that the grapes mature to their optimum point.
Vinification
In order to respect the integrity of these fine grapes, we harvest by hand. After being harvested, the grapes spend 15 to 20 days in tanks before being aged.
Aging: Aged in 1 and 2-year-old French oak barrels for 15 months.
Tasting Notes
The robe is a deep red color with purple reflections. The nose is rich and after allowing the wine to breathe, notes of black cherry and roasted coffee beans are revealed. The powerful palate enjoys silky, ever present tannins. The finale is lightly spiced with licorice notes. This wine pairs with all fine dishes.
Alcohol Content: 14.5% vol.
Yield: 25hl/ha
Awards and Scores
Robert Parker Wine Advocate : 90 points
Decanter : Platinum Medal
International Wine Challenge : Silver Medal
Grands Vins du Languedoc Competition : Silver Medal
12.00 €
Cariñu
Denomination: AOP Minervois, Red
Grape Varieties and Terroirs
Predominantly Carignan Old Vines. Our Carignan plots are situated on the Belvèze plateau. This superb quality terroir is high in rich organic matter and stones.
Vinification
In order to pay due respect to our old Carignan vines which are pruned in the goblet style, all of the plots are hand harvested and carefully placed in small boxes. To reveal the best expression of the terroir, they then go through the carbonic maceration process. During the following two weeks, there is strictly no intervention, to make the most of these fine fruits.
Aging: 18 months in one and two-year-old French oak barrels.
Tasting Notes
The robe is a brilliant, deep garnet red. The nose offers aromas of well ripened red fruits with notes of black olives. The fleshy and lush palate reveals black cherry notes and a spicy finale.
Alcohol Content: 13.5 %vol.
Yield: 30hl/ha
Awards and Scores
Decanter: Silver Medal
Macon Competition: Silver Medal
13,50 €
Grande Cuvée Belvèze
Denomination: AOP Minervois, Red
Grape Varieties & Terroirs
This Cuvee is a blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache Noir. These plots are found on the Belvèze plateau. This superb quality terroir is characterized by a high content of organic matter and stones. The vines dedicated to making Grande Cuvée Belvèze are distinguished by their low goblet style pruning which allows the optimal maturing of the grapes.
Harvest & Vinification
Hand-picked to respect the integrity of these fine grapes. Once destemmed, vinification and maceration take place in stainless steel tanks and last 20 to 25 days with manual cap punching.
Aging
After racking, aged for 18 months in French oak barrels; 50% new.
Tasting Notes
The robe is a deep black cherry color. The bouquet has a pleasant freshness and opens up with smoky aromas and mineral notes (gunflint). It has a powerful palate. In the style of a great Languedoc wine, the Grande Cuvée Belvèze is a full-bodied wine full of complexity. Its elegance and finesse is revealed after having been left to breathe in a decanter some hours before being consumed.
Alcohol Content: 14% vol
Yield: 30 hl/ha.
Awards and Scores
Decanter: Silver Medal
Grands Vins du Languedoc Competition: Silver Medal
Top 100 Languedoc Wines in the UK
19.00 €
Wine Tourism
Ideally located in a hamlet in the heart of the Minervois, Château Cabezac invites you to stay, to flourish with our Sensations, and to awaken your senses.
www.hotel-bastidecabezac.fr
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