Owner : Christophe Blanc
Estate Size : 40 Hectares (100 Acres)
Region : Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Varietals : Grenache and Mourvèdre

Christophe Blanc is the young winemaker of Domaine de Montpezat. “Palombières” is the result of meticulous work in the vineyard. The fruit for this wine comes from 3.5 hectares of Grenache and 1 hectare of Mourvèdre, which grow on brown, rocky, siliceous and shallow soil. The yields are kept low: 25 hl/ha for Mourvèdre and 35 hl/ha for Grenache. The 35-year old vines are trained on 3 wires and short-pruned on old wood (Royat). Only organic fertilizer is used, no herbicides.

The vineyards are planted on the gravelly hillsides behind the village of Pèzenas, located on the edge of a small forest where many Palombières or small thatch hunting blinds for game birds can be found. This is one of the warmest microclimates in the Languedoc.  This Côteaux du Languedoc (AOC) is a blend of 80% Grenache - vinified in tank and used barrels- and 20% Mourvèdre -aged in new oak for up to 1 year. 

“Palombières” offers up bold flavors of blackberries, pepper and spice with hints of toast and earth.  This is a well-balanced wine with complete, expressive and complex, structured flavors.

Christophe explains “Palombières” be kept for up to 3 years if it is properly stored, but you can also enjoy it immediately. It should be served at room temperature between 17 and 19 °C (62-66 °F). This structured and complex wine pairs well with barbecued meat and game as well as stews.

Estate information          
The historic town of Pèzenas is located in the heart of Languedoc, near the Mediterranean Sea. It is there that for the last 3 generations, the Blanc family has been producing high-quality wines, perpetuating the ancient traditions of wine-growing in the 40-hectare estate. 

Traditional methods are employed throughout the vinification process. Christophe ensures every step of production takes place on-site and under his own care, including tending to the vines, maintaining low yields, ageing the wines in tanks and barrels, and finally bottling without filtration.

There are two main types of soil in the domaine:

• Alluvia from the quaternary era on the first slopes and terraces (siliceous and quartzeous gravel). 
• Clayey-calcareous soils with more or less gritty soil.

The terroir is responsible for producing a whole array of wines ranging from fruity and pleasant wines to drink at any time, to full-bodied wines, worth keeping a while before opening and reserved for special occasions.