Château Fabre-Gasparets, Corbières Boutenac 2018

A dreamy succession of small hills on which vines are surrounded by pine woods and Mediterranean scrubland : this is Gasparets, a hamlet with a few inhabitants, a haven of peace. In 1711 the Fabre family settled on one of the most attractive terroirs of the Languedoc, classified as the top growth Corbières-Boutenac by decree on the 20th of May 2005. Inspite of several contrasting factors – a dry, stony but deep and well drained soil, an austere climate, a succession of small hills surrounded by pine groves and scrubland – Gasparets is, infact , surrounded by a well balanced environment for the production of top class wines. The Mourvèdre is well adapted to these conditions. The terroir is the perfect growing ground for old vines of Carignan, this variety representing at least 30% of blends of the Corbières Boutenac appellation. The soil composition is varied here : loose puddingstone dating from the Miocene period, silt and sand glacis, outcrops of sandstone and clay, silt, gravel and limstone. Even though Gasparets is a Mediterranean area, its terroir is fresh because of the surrounding hills : between Gasparets and the Mediterranean sea the Fontfroide hill range filters clouds blown inland by the 'Marin'. This humid, sea wind which is predominant during the Spring and Autumn, freshens the atmosphere and is beneficial for the regular ripening of grapes, particularly the Mourvèdre.