WINEMAKER'S PORTRAITS (I)
Ancienne Mercerie - Faugères, à Autignac  | | It is in 1998, that Nathalie and François Caumette decide to take over the vineyards that belonged to François’s grand father. The vineyards represent 10,5 hectares, among them, 7 are classified as Faugères appellation. Work over there is done carefully, rigorously. For the Caumette family, there is no discussion possible. The statement is : good fruits make good wines. More over, the estate has adopted “officially” bio (green) practices (although they were commonly done for years now). |
Harvests are done manually, and a rigorous sorting is carried in the vineyards. The yields are naturally low. Very low, we should say: 20 to 30 hl/ha. Maceration and fermentation are processed in traditional ways, with natural yeast. A minimum of sulphites are used, in order to preserve the fruit and the natural content, but enough so that the wine can be stored without any deviations. | |  |
Four wines are produced by L'Ancienne Mercerie Estate : A Vin de Pays « Coteaux de Murviel » made out from Merlot grapes (aged during 21 month, half in barriques, half in stainless steel tanks), - a « Coteaux du Languedoc « (appellation d'Origine Contrôlée - AOC), a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Carignan aged in stainless steel tanks during 9 month, - and two Faugères (also AOC): La Cuvée « Petites Mains », and la Cuvée « Couture » coming from parcels made out from schist.  | | La Cuvée « Couture ». The blend is never strictly the same, and depends of the vintage, the weather conditions. The best of the fruits are reserved to this Cuvée. Syrah, Grenache, but also Mourvèdre and Carignan (which have more than 50 years of age) are blended in variable proportion depending of the year. The aging lasts 21 month for one third in stainless steel tanks, two third 16 month in barriques which 15 % are new ones. The wine displays terrific concentration, the nose shows rip fruit notes, a very nice texture, full body, and the tannins are soft, very round. The oak gives elegance and complexity. The finish has a very nice length. |
Definitively, the hard work at the vineyards, rip and healthy fruits are some of the secrets of this estate.... among others. Not to forget, the art of vinification of the winemaker François ! If you haven't tasted yet, do not hesitate and don't wait any longer ! |
