Saint Mont lives it up!
Results of the 2009 blending
The Plaisance terroir, located at an average 250 m altitude, is characterised by a succession of hills with clayey/chalky sub-soils requires a long maturing period for the berries and fully benefits from the sunny end-of-seasons of the Pyrenees foothills. The existence of expandable clay and the particularly cool microclimate of the area sometimes makes the wines strong when young but which develops into a certain sophistication after being left to age for many years. The Plaisance wines, taught and mineral, often form the basis of the Faîte.
The Aignan terroir is made up of hills and gravelly, sandy plateaus. This type of soil imposes an early water stress on the vine ensuring excellent maturity for all the varietal wines. The wines produced here are elegant and sophisticated and provide a sucrosity which regularly contributes towards the harmony of young wines.
The Saint-Mont terroir, located at the most westerly point of the area, is characterised by its complexity and its richness. Criss-crossed throughout by seams of round pebbles, the compact and variously coloured clay (yellow and white), sometimes mixed with sandstone, is constantly creating dense and powerful wines, essential in the blending process to ensure the quality of the Faîte.
Results of the 2009 blending
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Le Faîte blanc 2008 Sample number 5 was chosen by the Tasting Committee. It is composed of the following varietal wines: • 70 % Gros Manseng: it provides freshness, complexity, density and good ageing capacity, • 20 % Arrufiac: aromas of dried flowers, linden and a long finish with a slight hint of bitterness, • 10 % Petit Courbu: this ensures full, rich wines and provides body.  The observations of Michel Bettane and Gérard Basset M.W.:Very fine aromatic intensity dominated by fresh fruit notes featuring a pleasant wine/wood balance. Fresh full-bodied attack, considerable volume in the mouth and an intense aromatic persistence. Rich, harmonious and deep wine: an outstanding vintage. |
| Le Faîte Rouge 2007 Sample number 4 has been chosen by the Tasting committee. It is composed of 60 % of the Saint-Mont terroir, 30 % of the Aignan terroir and 10 % of the Plaisance terroir and its proportion of varietal wines respects the profile of the Saint Mont appellation: • 70 % Tannat: it provides its aromatic power and good ageing potential, • 20 % Pinenc: finesse, elegance, and outstanding aromatic freshnes, • 10 % Cabernet sauvignon: it provides class and a cool touch. The observations of Michel Bettane and Gérard Basset M.W.:A fine, complex wine with well-integrated serious woody notes. Well-structured, complex mouth with ripe fruit dominant. The texture of the tannin is admirably well mastered and the maturity is perfect in this fresh vintage. This wine has good ageing potential. A longer ageing period will be required. |
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| A blending process which highlights the way that the three Saint Mont terroirs complement each other: | |
The Aignan terroir is made up of hills and gravelly, sandy plateaus. This type of soil imposes an early water stress on the vine ensuring excellent maturity for all the varietal wines. The wines produced here are elegant and sophisticated and provide a sucrosity which regularly contributes towards the harmony of young wines.
The Saint-Mont terroir, located at the most westerly point of the area, is characterised by its complexity and its richness. Criss-crossed throughout by seams of round pebbles, the compact and variously coloured clay (yellow and white), sometimes mixed with sandstone, is constantly creating dense and powerful wines, essential in the blending process to ensure the quality of the Faîte.