Located near Limoux in the Languedoc, in Saint-Polycarpe, Domaine de Baronarques was a natural choice for Baroness Philippine de Rothschild and her children, as early as 1998.
Formerly a farm, the earliest traces of Domaine de Baronarques date back to the 16th century. Known at the time as “Domaine de Lambert”, Philippe Sereys de Rothschild reflects on the family's interest in acquiring a historic estate. “Domaine de Baronarques is a property of 110 hectares rich in biodiversity, predominantly composed of woodland, with 43 hectares of vineyards. It is a property at the intersection of three climates: oceanic, continental, and Mediterranean. We are west of the Corbières, at the foot of the Pyrenees, which partially shields us from the heat from the Mediterranean while benefiting from the rainfall of the Atlantic, as well as the refreshing influence of altitude”. Aspects particularly welcomed in light of climate change.
After significant work, Domaine de Baronarques was finally able to claim the Limoux appellation for its red wine as early as 2003. In addition to the construction of a new barrel cellar, extensive soil studies were conducted, revealing complex substrate mixtures, shared between granitic soils, rolled pebbles, as well as more clayey soils depending on the altitude, which varies between 250 and 400 meters.
The grape varieties have been entirely revised to match the terroir coherently. The oldest plot dates back to 1982. Thus, there is a majority of Merlot (15.8 ha) but also Syrah (6.2 ha), Cabernet Franc (5.3 ha), Malbec (3.2 ha), and Cabernet Sauvignon (1.1 ha). For white grape varieties: 11.1 ha of Chardonnay and 0.5 ha of Chenin Blanc planted in 2022. Another important point emphasized by Philippe Sereys de Rothschild is that vinifications are separate between grape varieties, but also between the same grape varieties and different altitudes, allowing for significant variations in ripeness.
“From the outset, the family recognized the full potential of this vineyard to produce great wines from the South of France with a distinctive identity, characterized by power, but also delicacy and freshness, its signature. The work carried out over the past 25 years allows for a better understanding of its terroirs and to reveal the best of them, regardless of vintage conditions, thanks in particular to this richness and diversity of terroirs and grape varieties”.
Through a tasting of the 2010, 2016, 2019, and 2022 vintages of Domaine de Baronarques in red, we can feel the evolution of the property. There is a quest for harmony. This is particularly evident with the 2022 vintage, combining delicate tannins with an aromatic profile characteristic of the terroir, characterized by fresh fruitiness and subtle spicy notes that bring all its vigor to the forefront.
Xavier Lacombe
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