In the glass
Aroma: dark cherry, violet, garrigue, fine spice
Palate: black fruit, tobacco, thyme, fine-grained tannin
Syrah-led mid-tier Saint-Chinian from Mas Champart's argilo-calcareous Bousquet plateau. Precise and controlled style; rewards 90 RVF points.
What it pairs with
-
Côte de boeuf
Fine-grained tannin meets grilled rib steak; tobacco mirrors the char. -
Slow-braised lamb shoulder
Garrigue and thyme echo Provençal seasoning; structure handles slow-cooked fat. -
Aged Comté or Manchego
Fine spice and dark cherry register meet hard cheese crystals.
History
Causse du Bousquet is named after the limestone plateau dominating Mas Champart. Syrah-led with the four other Saint-Chinian grapes; 70% in barrel and 30% in tank. The mid-tier cuvée of the estate.
- 1996 — First Causse du Bousquet vintage from Mas Champart's plateau
Facts
- Producer
- Mas Champart
- Grapes
- Syrah (70%), Grenache (10%), Mourvèdre (10%), Carignan (5%), Cinsault (5%)
- Classification
- AOC Saint-Chinian
- Oak
- 70% aged in barrel, 30% in tank
- ABV
- 14.5%
- Price
- €20-28 at retail
- Drinking window
- 3-12 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1996
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Frequently asked about Causse du Bousquet
What does Causse du Bousquet taste like?
Dark cherry, violet, garrigue and fine spice on the nose; black fruit, tobacco, thyme and fine-grained tannin on the palate. Medium-bodied with a long finish.
When should I drink Causse du Bousquet?
Drink between 3 and 12 years from vintage. The 70% barrel and 30% tank approach gives structure that rewards 4-6 years of cellaring.
What food pairs with Causse du Bousquet?
Côte de boeuf is the canonical match; slow-braised lamb shoulder and aged Comté or Manchego are equally strong pairings.
How long is Causse du Bousquet aged?
70% in barrel (demi-muid) and 30% in tank. The split preserves Syrah's freshness while building structure.