Domaine de Fontsainte Réserve La Demoiselle Corbières 2022

Domaine de Fontsainte is a historic winery located in the Corbières appellation of Languedoc-Roussillon, with viticultural roots dating back to Roman times. The estate's name derives from a thermal spring around which the original domaine was built, later named for the local 12th-century patron saint, Saint Siméon—hence "Fontsainte," meaning "the saint's fount." Archaeological evidence, including coins from Marcus Agrippa's era (25 A.D.), confirms the site's ancient winemaking heritage.

The Laboucarié family has been crafting wines at Fontsainte since the 17th century. Yves Laboucarié founded the modern incarnation in 1971, revolutionizing regional winemaking by becoming the first in Corbières to use carbonic maceration and champion whole cluster fermentation. His innovations included creating the celebrated "Gris de Gris" rosé from direct-pressed Grenache Gris grapes, inspired by delicate rosés from his youth.

Today, Yves's son Bruno continues the family's pioneering spirit, maintaining sustainable farming practices across vineyards featuring ancient Carignan vines, some over a century old. The estate's jewel is the Réserve La Demoiselle vineyard in Boutenac's "Golden Crescent," protected by a 500-hectare forest and blessed with optimal sun exposure.

Domaine de Fontsainte specializes in traditional Languedoc blends of Carignan, Grenache, and Syrah, grown on silica, clay, and limestone soils. Bruno combines 60% French oak aging with 40% cement tank maturation, creating wines that balance explosive freshness with aging potential. The estate has been imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant for over four decades, establishing its reputation as one of the region's most reliable producers of exceptional value wines.

Corbières is one of the most important and productive wine appellations in France's Languedoc-Roussillon region, located in southern France between Montpellier and the Spanish border. Established as an AOC in 1985, this rugged, windswept region covers approximately 13,500 hectares across 87 communes, making it one of the largest appellations in the Languedoc.

The Corbières wine region is characterized by diverse terroirs ranging from Mediterranean coastal plains to mountainous foothills reaching 400 meters elevation. The landscape features dramatic limestone plateaus, schist slopes, and clay-limestone soils interspersed with garrigue scrubland, olive groves, and ancient stone villages. The Mediterranean climate brings hot, dry summers moderated by the Tramontane wind, which helps preserve acidity and prevent disease pressure.

Corbières produces primarily red wines from traditional southern French grape varieties. The appellation requires blends incorporating at least two grape varieties, typically featuring Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Lledoner Pelut, and Cinsault. Many vineyards contain century-old Carignan vines that produce low yields and concentrated flavors. Small quantities of rosé and white wines are also produced.

The region has undergone significant quality improvements since the 1980s, with producers like Domaine de Fontsainte pioneering techniques such as carbonic maceration and whole cluster fermentation. Notable sub-zones include Boutenac, known as the "Golden Crescent," which received its own AOC status in 2005.

Corbières wines are renowned for their robust character, displaying dark fruit flavors, Mediterranean herbs, and mineral complexity. These food-friendly wines offer exceptional value, pairing perfectly with regional cuisine including cassoulet, grilled meats, and aged cheeses while showcasing the authentic terroir of southern France.