Château du Donjon

The Panis-Mialhe family has been passionate about viticulture since the 15th century. Combining respect for traditional values ​​with modernity, cultivation techniques have obviously been refined over generations.

Château du Donjon is located in the south of France, in Languedoc, 10 km from the medieval city of Carcassonne.

Facing the Pyrenees, the vineyards are in La Clamoux, a pivotal zone of the Mediterranean climate with the influence of the Atlantic Ocean. It is made up of clay-limestone slopes and gravelly terraces and are AOC Minervois and Cabardès.

Jean made his first vintage in 1996 along with meeting his wife Caroline. His philosophy has become to pay particular attention to the fruitness of his wines, promoting ripeness and depth of flavour on the palate.

Minervois takes its name from the ancient city of Minerve, a stronghold established by the Romans. It is one of the oldest Mediterranean vineyard areas, and was first planted with vines by the Romans more than 2000 years ago.

Cabardès is the youngest appellation in Languedoc. Its terroir, which is cooler than Minervois, has been selected to combine Atlantic and Mediterranean grape varieties. Thanks to this unique aspect its wines have a perfect balance and great complexity.

A remendous selection of grape varieties are planted on the estate. Carignan is the oldest, it is the simplest to cultivate and the most complicated to vinify. Properly made it has a very special finesse.

Grenache is Jean’s favourite. Small berries that have a particular sweetness and spiciness make it a beguiling grape variety. Syrah brings the power, combining fruit and structure, it is ages well in oak barrels to make a perfect for laying down to mature.

Cinsault is as good to eat as it is to vinify and gives a luscious character. Merlot shows the finesse of the fruit with an elegant structure, it needs a lot of sun to fully express itself.

Cabernet Sauvignon grows vigourously and generates wines with good structure. It is always the last to be harvested at takes time to ripen fully. Finally the last planted on the farm is the Petit Verdot. It is hard work though rich and noble and adds great depth to the wines.

Vineyard maintainence is done with as little intervention as possible. Ploughing keeps weeds down and only natural manure is used to nourish the vines.

Once harvest has taken place at optimum ripeness the berries are de-stemmed and sorted before they reach the cellar so only berries and juice are vinified.

www.chateau-du-donjon.fr

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