Alcohol: 14.5%
Grape(s): 60% Syrah, 30% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 10% Malbec
Localization: Languedoc, France
Tasting Notes: In this sunny land in the south of France, they constantly cherish their land to stir and inspire us: artisanal work to enhance the fruit and create concentrated wines with remarkable balance and freshness. Les Illustres is the story of 8 winegrowers who have pooled their expertise to craft an outstanding wine. This unique cuvée draws its energy through the ancient silos dug by the Romans out of the soft rock of molasses at the Oppidum d’Ensérune, the famous archaeological site listed as a ‘Monument National de France’ where the remains of an ancient village still stand.
The Domain: Les Vignobles Foncalieu is a union of cooperatives anchored in the heart of Languedoc. Our territory stretches from the Corbières massif to the banks of the Mediterranean, from the Mistral-swept hillsides to the sun-caressed plains between Carcassonne and Béziers.
It is in the heart of these landscapes, situated between ocean and mountains, that all our wine- growers tend to our 4,000 hectares of vines daily to offer Foncalieu the high-quality grapes to produce exceptional wines.
A cooperative with strong values since 1967, our 650 winegrowers cultivate team spirit, authenticity, innovation and a shared passion… all of which have led Foncalieu to be named as one of the 50 most well-known brands of wine in the world by the trade magazine Drinks International in 2017.
Les Vignobles Foncalieu stretch across 4,000 hectares between the Cité de Carcassonne and the Canal du Midi, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This vast territory characterised by a mosaic of terroirs and denominations has enabled the development of a wide range of wines, most of which are labelled PDO and PGI of Languedoc.
The largest and oldest wine-making region in the world is also a land of culture, art and gastronomy, characterised by mild winters and hot summers. Its multitude of terroirs swept by the Tramontane and the sea wind stretches from the Pyrenees to the Mediterranean, offering a wide palette of grape varieties from Carignan to Malbec, and Roussanne to Sauvignon.
The color, nose and mouthfeel of a Languedoc vary considerably according to its terroir, the varieties used in the blend, the yields practiced, the quality of the soil and the climate of the preceding year.
By mastering our terroir and selecting plots that we believe extraordinary, we produce fine Languedoc wines, including the Atelier Prestige collection and the Château Haut-Gléon wines labelled PDO Corbières and PGI Vallée du Paradis owned by Foncalieu since 2012.
Thanks to their attentiveness and human qualities, we owe our know-how to all these people, who have been developing Foncalieu for over 50 years and have demonstrated their wine-growing spirit.
