In the glass
Aroma: toasted notes, spice, chocolate, garrigue
Palate: dark fruit, thyme, incomparable velvet, fine tannin
Grenache-led Saint-Chinian from biodynamic schist parcels at altitude on steep hillsides. Velvety mouthfeel despite concentration and character.
What it pairs with
-
Grilled red meat (côte de boeuf)
Fine tannin and velvet texture meet grilled rib steak. -
Slow-roasted lamb shoulder
Spice and garrigue meet slow-cooked lamb and herbs. -
Aged Manchego
Toasted notes and chocolate complement hard sheep cheese.
History
Borie la Vitarèle was founded in 1990 by Jean-François and Cathy Izarn, 18 hectares in AOC Saint-Chinian under organic and biodynamic farming since 1998. Les Schistes comes from old vines on very steep hillsides at relatively high altitudes.
- 1990 — Jean-François and Cathy Izarn found Borie la Vitarèle
- 1998 — Estate converted to organic and biodynamic farming
Facts
- Producer
- Borie La Vitarèle
- Grapes
- Grenache (60%), Syrah (35%), Carignan (5%)
- Classification
- AOC Saint-Chinian
- Oak
- Aged in demi-muid (large French oak barrels)
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- €18-25 at retail
- Drinking window
- 3-12 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1995
- Biodynamic
- Biodynamic Practicing
- Organic
- ORGANIC CERTIFIED
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Scores
- RVF 93 (2022 vintage, reviewed 2025)
Frequently asked about Les Schistes
What does Les Schistes taste like?
Toasted notes, spice, chocolate and garrigue on the nose; dark fruit, thyme, incomparable velvet and fine tannin on the palate. Medium-bodied with a long finish.
When should I drink Les Schistes?
Drink between 3 and 12 years from vintage. The biodynamic schist cuvée rewards 45-60 minutes of decanting.
What food pairs with Les Schistes?
Grilled red meat is the canonical match; slow-roasted lamb shoulder and aged Manchego also work well.
Where is Les Schistes made?
From very steep biodynamic hillside parcels at altitude on Berlou-side schist at Borie la Vitarèle in Saint-Chinian.