Château Haut Lavigne was created by Nadia Lusseau in ’02 when she took over 8.5 hectares of vineyard in the Cotes de Duras AOC. The vineyards is made up of 4 hectares of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon plus 4.5 hectares of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Her vines have great east-west exposure. The domaine is located 10 kilometers from Duras and 25 kilometers from Bergerac—minutes away from the city of Bordeaux. Nadia’s traditional winemaking approach preserves the quality of the fruit in her vineyards, and the complexity of the terrior found around her vines is in the wine she bottles. She has been framing organically since ’05 and is working toward certification. Nadia Lusseau represents a younger generation of women winemakers working in southern France whose informed approach and deft touch are yielding outstanding results.
http://hautlavigne.free.fr/cariboost1/
Certification: Converting to certified organic.
Côtes de Duras (red):
print Haut-Lavigne Duras Red sheet
Age of Vines: 10 to 30 Years
Yields: 550 Cases
Pruning Method: Double Guyot
Soil: Clay mixed with limestone, sandy clay and silex.
Varietals: 72% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc.
Vinification Method:The grapes are hand harvested and slowly pressed. Only indigenous yeast are used and very little sulfites are added to the wine. The grapes undergo an extended pre-fermentation in addition to a long cold maceration, thus extending the length of the fruit present on the palate. The Merlot and Cabernet Franc vines are fermented separately in enamel-lined tanks. The wine is blended and then bottled unfiltered nine months later.
Tasting Note: Deep garnet in the glass with deep plum, fresh currant and blackberry on the nose. Red and black fruit dominate the vibrant palate. The wine is fruit forward and youthful it also possesses buoyant acidity and succulent tannins.
Pairing: Works well with char-grilled burgers, grilled chicken or beef, roasted vegetables, cassoulet, and dried meats with aged cheeses.
Côtes de Duras (white):
print Haut-Lavigne Duras White sheet
Age of Vines: 10 to 30 Years
Yields: 20 hlha 15,000 bottles
Pruning Method: Double Guyot
Soil: Clay mixed with limestone, sandy clay and silex.
Varietals: 50% Semillon, 50% Sauvignon Blanc.
Vinification Method:The grapes are hand harvested and slowly pressed. Only indigenous yeast are used and very little sulfites are added to the wine. The juice rests on the lees for an extended period of time. Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc are aged separately in enamel-lined vats.
Tasting Note: Greenish straw in the glass with scents of apricot, flowers, warm almond skins and beeswax. The bright palate offers up melon and citrus fruit with a thick core of white pit fruit minerality and herbacious acidity. This blend has terrific concentration and outstanding balance.
Pairing: Grilled fish, chicken and vegetables. hearty garden salads, pasta dishes with spring vegetables, young milk cheeses or simply by itself.
Côtes de Duras Rosé (COMING SOON)
Varietals: Merlot (70%), Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
Soil: Clay mixed with limestone, sandy clay & silex.
Vinification: Direct press, fermentation in tanks. Aging on lies.
Soil: Clay mixed with limestone, sandy clay & silex.
Tasting Note: Elegant, well-balanced.
