This year again the Chateau Saint Nabor wines were awarded at different fairs.

First our Côtes du Rhône white 2011 received the Silver Medal at the Concours des Vins d’Orange.

Last weekend during the Concours des Vins de Brignoles our Côtes du Rhône White 2011 and Côtes du Rhône Red 2011 received both the Silver Medal.

Finally, and this time we cross the Atlantic, Jeb Dunnuck, author of The Rhône Report, tasted and rated the Domaine des Santonilles 2009 at 87 point. Here is the tasting note: ” Solid, with crunchy black cherry and blackberry styled fruits, mineral, loads of pepper, and hints of earth and smoke, the 2009 Domaine du Santonilles Côtes du Rhône Villages (Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, and Mourvèdre) is mediumbodied, concentrated, and very fresh on the palate. Slightly firm and ungiving at first, this fleshes out nicely with air, but should be even better with an additional year of bottle age, and drink nicely for 3-5 years after that. (87 pts.)”

The fairs of Avignon and of the “Jeunes Agriculteurs du Gard” (Young farmers of the Gard) will happen soon, we will let you know the results !

Cheers !

Producing great quality grapes comes also with planting new vines.

At a certain age the vines can produce less and lower quality grapes. They are also more sensitive to diseases, especially fungus that attack the inside of the vine.

This year we are going to pull out a few hectares; planting the new vines will be done next year, the time to let the soil rest during one season.

You will be able to follow the detailed steps of the plantation here. You must know that it takes about 3 to 4 years between the plantation and the first harvest; this gives the time to shape the vine.

Next step: pulling out the roots of the old vines !

Cheers

After the cold wave that we just went through, it is a good time to sum up on this very important season: the winter.

Concerning the work in the cellar, it slows down after harvest.

This is when the filtration of the new wines starts. First the white and rosé wines and then the red wines; because the wines are “clean” early we avoid all risks of getting unwanted tastes that is usually due to the extended contact with the lees. This allows to let the wines rest during winter, the cold temperature will stabilize them, it means that the tartaric acid, which is naturally in the wine, will solidify and precipitate; in this way it will not happen in the bottle later.

This period is also when we make the blends; we taste each tank and prepare the future blends by selecting the best tanks for every different cuvee.

On the vineyard side the winter season is very important. The cold temperature will allow the plant sap to go down to the roots and start the “sleeping cycle”. During this phase the vine will rest with its reserves made during the previous season.

If, like this year, the cold temperatures arrive late, there is a risk that the vine does not start its sleeping cycle and worse, starts a new growing cycle. For that it will grab into its reserves, there is a risk that it uses a lot and won’t have enough to go through winter when the cold temperature will arrive. Luckily this does not happen often, and this year was on the limit, the cold temperatures arrived just on time.

During the sleeping cycle we prune the vines. We cut the shoots of the previous season to keep only 12 buds (6 spurs (shortened shoot) x 2 buds), these buds will open in spring and will develop into new shoots. This step is essential; this is when the next harvest is being decided.

The Primeur 2011 is coming !!

Come taste and celebrate the Primeur wine with the producers of the Balade des Côtes du Rhône Primeur.

You will first find us at the Halles of Nîmes the Thursday November 17 from 6pm for the official Primeur wine release, there will also be the Best Primeur award.

We will continue our journey with the partnering restaurants. The Chateau Saint Nabor will be pouring the Primeur wines at the Auberge des 4 Saisons in Saint Gély on Friday the 18th where you will enjoy a dinner made from regional products; reserve now !

Finally our cellar will be open all week end long and we will welcome you in a warm and familial atmosphere. You will discover the Primeur wine but also re-discover all our wines; a cold buffet will accompany your tasting experience. You will also enjoy a display of painting from local artists.

We expect to see you there !

Cheers

Castor Family

During the 2011 harvest the new Chateau Saint Nabor website was launched !

We welcome you now on this brighter website where you will easily navigate through the menus !

You will find even more information on our estate, our wines but also our region.

The big news of this website is: the Blog being hosted here, it will be easier for you to follow our news with the RSS feed. To be even closer visit and like our Facebook page  !

Do not hesitate to share your thoughts with us if you have any remarks or questions !

Cheers !

Castor Family