Varietal mix Bordeaux varieties
51% Merlot
11% Cabernet Franc
7% Cabernet Sauvignon

Mediterranean varieties
13% Malbec
12% Syrah
6% Grenache

Maturing 50% new barrels
50% 1 and 2-year-old barrels

Tasting notes

The wine has an attractive colour, shading to ruby with an appealing cherry tint, and an expansive nose that opens on vanilla, caramel and leather and reveals more complex aromas of liquorice, spice and peppermint on airing.

Smooth, round and elegant on the palate, with well-integrated tannins, this first vintage of the Limoux Rouge appelation is the perfect expression of a hot-weather year and a high-quality terroir.

2003 was unusually hot, with higher annual average temperatures than in 2002. But though heatwave conditions prevailed during the summer, the preceding winter had been very cold.

Budbreak took place relatively early, from the end of March to the middle of April. Heavy rains in May encouraged rapid vegetation growth. Flowering also occurred early, from the end of May to the middle of June, in excellent climatic conditions.

High summer temperatures accelerated the vegetation cycle and the ripening of the grapes. Despite low rainfall, the vineyard suffered little from drought.

Picking began on the 15th of September and a very healthy crop was harvested under ideal conditions.