Respect for the soils and respect for the wines: these are the key principles of the estate. Our main endeavor is to produce authentic wines that faithfully reflect the soil from which they came. For this reason, each soil produces its own cuvee. Wines are matured for 18 months and bottled unfiltered. Our constant concern is to preserve the quality of the grape and the specificity of the soil. Out of respect for the land and the people, cultivation is accomplished naturally.
The goal during the winemaking process is to obtain just the right extraction. To that end, our grapes are totally de-stemmed and crushed by foot in open vats. Temperatures are controlled, and wines are left in vats for about 40 days where they are fermented with natural yeasts. Barrel maturing then finishes drawing out the characteristics of the soil. Wines are aged in barrels for no more than a year in order to preserve their identity. They are left in contact with their lees and agitated for added complexity. They then spend a final winter in tanks.
Established in 1990, the estate lies on 16 Ha of gravel schist, clay and limestone soils.
Les Terres Blanches 2019
The wines resulting from these soils are full-bodied with elegant tannins, rich raspberry flavors and an astonishing lingering finish. Les Terres Blanches reveals the taste of a Grenache grown on harsh soils of limestone and clay.
Les Terres Blanches is a blend of Grenache 80% and Syrah 20%. We produce approximately 4,000 bottles of this Cuvée. The yields average 40hl/ha for the Grenache and 20 hl/ha for the Syrah. The vines are tied up and ploughed; the pruning method is Royat Cordon. The grape harvest is carried out manually.
REVIEWS:
Borie La Vitarele Les Terres Blanches 2009 WS October 15, 2010
Les Schistes 2013
These are delicate wines with a strong minerality typical of this soil. “Les Schistes” is a blend of Grenache 60% Syrah 35% and Carignan 5%. We produce approximately 11,000 bottles of this cuvée. Our aim with “Les Schistes” is to express all the delicacy and purity of this soil.
Les Schistes from Borie La Vitarèle are located on the commune of Saint Nazaire de Ladarez. The vines here are planted on very sloping, laminated schist slopes and sandy shale. These grounds allow for a very deep rooting of the stocks, thus limiting the effects of drought, so dreaded in Mediterranean climates. The wine possesses the smoothness and elegance typical of these soils. 1ha 70 of Grenache (55%) 1ha 20 of Syrah (40%) and 0ha 15 of Carignan (5%) are planted there. The Carignan and the Grenache are pruned by the gobelet method, the Syrah is pruned by the Royat Cordon method. Yields are naturally low on these poor sloping soils : about 30hl/ha. Working the soil is made difficult by steep slopes. Whenever possible, the soil is ploughed. A western exposure and a relatively high altitude make it possible to gather ripe and healthy grapes while preserving the freshness of their aromas. The grape harvest is carried out manually. The grapes are sorted on the vine.
REVIEWS:
Borie La Vitarele Les Schistes 2008 WS October 15, 2010
Les Crès 2014
Les Crès are warm and powerful wines with the aroma of spices and black fruit, and possessing a velvety tannic structure. These wines reveal a great soil. A blend of Syrah 75%, of Grenache 20% and Mourvèdre 5%. We produce approximately 1,000 bottles of this Cuvée and 500 Magnums of this cuvée.
Les Crès is the Occitan name of soils made up of round pebbles. They have a PH ranging from slightly acidic to neutral. They offer a marvelous ground for vine-culture because of their draining quality and weak fertility. They give wines both delicacy and strength.
We currently own 3ha 20 on this type of soils, among which 1 ha 50 of Syrah, 1ha of Grenache and 70 ares (1 are = 100 meters squared) of Mourvèdre. Most of them are pruned very low by the Gobelet method. The yields are naturally low, with an average of 25 hl/ha. Compost is used only in small quantities. Subsoiling and surface work are carried out. No weeding or pesticides are used. These methods contribute to preventing erosion and yield a clean, organic soil. South/Southeast exposure. The grape harvest is carried out manually.
