The Saint Chinian female accents.

Gone are the days when he had to cling to the table when you drank one of these Saint Chinian of old, rustic, bitter, too tannic and alcooleux. Today, it is clear that this designation has a rebuilt health. The rising proportion of Syrah, Grenache, in assemblies at the expense of a Carignan misunderstood – but mostly grown on poor pitches – has much to do. The finesse and elegance is back in St.-Chinian!

As proof, the Chateau Dourn offering an actress of that name. Their wines are the antithesis of the image we had of St. Chinian. This version we like and we wanted to show it. Back on the field and these atypical wines rather confusing, but so valuable!

It’s rare enough to be stressed, the Castle Dourn is primarily a story of women. Located in the commune of Saint Chinian, Château operates 50 hectares of vines in one piece, all around the property. As we explained, since 1970 were women of the family who succeeded Stephen as head of operations. Naturally, they require a more feminine version of their wines. “I do not like wine noisy, too ripe,” says Veronique Etienne current manager of the field. “It must have peace and lightness, fruit and concentration typical of our soil shale” she says in an interview with our colleagues in Earth Wines (September / October 2009).

A variety of grapes that creates a full range of wines.

On this beautiful land – where the shales are everywhere – the Chateau the Dourn cultivates a dozen different varieties. Alongside the classic red grape of the appellation Saint Chinian (Grenache, Carignan, Syrah, Cinsault), Cabernet (Franc and Sauvignon) are used to develop the range “of Dourn …” and contribute to rosé and red Dourn. While Roussanne, Vermentino and Viognier are used in very cool vintage “the White Dourn.

The problems it encounters in the vineyard, Veronique Etienne focuses on solutions as natural as possible. With all these varieties cultivated sensitivities diseases are not the same and we must remain vigilant. She understood and we offer a full range of wines rather easy access to the range, “… the Dourn, while wines stamped Saint Chinian is a bit more sun, more focused, while remaining relatively digestible for wine from Saint Chinian shale.

Tasting of wines from Chateau de la Dourn :

The color of this white wine is pale yellow and quite a beautiful clarity.
The nose is pleasant. Quite complex, it successively develops notes of fennel, yellow flowers, fruit acids (lemon, pineapple), to finish on the scent of fresh roasted hazelnuts less. A nice complexity to this white wine!

In the mouth, it is quite tasty, smooth and round. The fruity aromas and grilled find themselves with a nice franchise. The final slide in the mouth without any real hitches. It loves this “little” wine to accompany your aperitif or summer kitchen simple grilled fish, for example. This vintage harvest our heart stroke money / pleasure!

Chateau la Dourn 2008 – AOC Saint Chinian

The wine reveals a lovely purple dress with purple hues.
The first nose shows red berries (strawberry). Then, aeration reveals spicy notes, balsamic reminiscent of dry grass surrounding scrubland (thyme).
The palate is lively and place the wine on a sea of red fruits. The roundness is pleasing and tannins seem slim. While the concentration is not staggering but the next digest of this wine is really appreciable. A female Saint Chinian you said it! One summer evening nibbling tapas, consider that wine!

Castle Etienne Dourn 2006 – AOC Saint Chinian
The dress pulls over on black. Reflections ruby red wine herald a more evolved.
The nose shows intense notes of jammy fruit associated with sweetly scented scrubland (bay leaf, thyme). It is in the Saint Chinian!

On the palate is quite rounded, well filled. The tannins are velvety and wish to remain light and digestible. The power of this wine is not his strong point. However, the subtlety and finesse are significant. A comment that is not customary for the wines of this appellation. The finish is still quite long and offers aromas of cocoa.

One can imagine this wine on a chicken flavored with herbs of the garrigue. Any takers …

Elise 2007 – AOC Saint Chinian
This wine comes in a black dress denser and deeper than other wines in the range. Violet reflections run through the disc.
The nose of black fruits dominate early (blackberry, blackcurrant). These seem slightly candied fruit with a blazing sun in 2007. These scents develop into the first notes of petal flowers and a woodland light appears (vanilla).
On the palate, the attack is silky smooth. The tannins are very fine. The roundness in the mouth is significant. It perceives black fruit nose. The finish is stronger and develops notes of dried fruit (prunes) that pass over chocolate milk, cocoa, liquorice.
This wine is a great delicacy. His multitude of flavors is a call for rich and hearty cuisine: a beef stew with olives can join perfectly with this wine.

The wines of Chateau la Dourn are confusing! Véronique Etienne realizing his vision of women of wine from Saint Chinian, rolling on the fineness of a reserved and restrained tannic structure. In the end, we are surprised by the impression given off digest these wines. In summer, we’d be only too!