In the glass
Aroma: black cherry, garrigue, white pepper, violet
Palate: blackberry, thyme, graphite, supple tannin
Syrah-led red from Cazeneuve's hard limestone parcels. Built for early drinking with a three to four year ageing arc.
What it pairs with
-
Lamb tagine with prunes
Sweet spice and black cherry meet North African aromatics. -
Aubergine parmigiana
Garrigue and thyme complement tomato-rich vegetable bake. -
Aged Comté
Supple tannin balances mature Comté's nutty crystals.
History
Château de Cazeneuve is a 9th-century building at the heart of a 35-hectare estate. André Leenhardt took over in 1988 and restructured the vineyard following the Pic Saint-Loup appellation framework. Les Calcaires expresses the hard limestone terroir.
- 1988 — André Leenhardt acquires Château de Cazeneuve
- 1995 — First Les Calcaires bottling under the redefined estate framework
Facts
- Producer
- Château de Cazeneuve
- Grapes
- Syrah (50%), Mourvèdre (30%), Carignan (20%)
- Classification
- AOC Pic Saint-Loup
- Oak
- Aged in concrete tank and partial oak; no new oak
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- €16-22 at retail
- Drinking window
- 2-8 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1995
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Frequently asked about Les Calcaires
What does Les Calcaires taste like?
Black cherry, garrigue, white pepper and violet on the nose; blackberry, thyme, graphite and supple tannin on the palate. Medium-bodied with a medium finish.
When should I drink Les Calcaires?
Drink between 2 and 8 years from vintage. The wine is approachable young and continues to develop for several years in bottle.
What food pairs with Les Calcaires?
Lamb tagine with prunes is the canonical match; aubergine parmigiana and aged Comté also work well.
What grapes are in Les Calcaires?
50% Syrah, 30% Mourvèdre and 20% Carignan from Cazeneuve's hard limestone parcels in Pic Saint-Loup.