Description
Château Saint Louis la Perdrix
Costières de Nîmes
The Costières de Nîmes appellation is in the Southern most part of the Rhône Valley. Located on the edge of the town of Bellegarde between Nîmes and Arles, Château Saint-Louis La Perdrix stretches over an unbroken 50-hectare vineyard with and 7 hectares of olive trees. The history of the terroir of the château dates back to the 13th century. King Louis IX hunted on these grounds, particularly for partridge – hence the name of the estate.
The expansive Camargue terroir is perfect for the local grape varieties. Rounded galet stones on the ground restore the sun’s heat during the night and help the grapes to full ripeness whilst keeping the soil cool. The vines, in this poor soil of red clay, grow deep to seek out the mineral elements that account for the finesse and elegance of their wines. Syrah, Grenache and Carignan grapes are used for the red wines and Grenache Blanc and Roussanne grapes are used in the whites. Most of the vines are between 35 and 50 years old.
Vianney Castan recently bought the property and has been working his magic on the wines. We already import his wines from the family estate of Château Saint Jean d’Aumières, which have proved enormously popular with members. We’ve been following the Saint Louis wines every year since Vianney took over, and we were delighted this year by the improvements in the quality of the wines. They combine modern winemaking with the best traditions of the past, and represent fantastic value for money, punching way above their weight!
Click here for A Virtual Tour of Saint Louis la Perdrix
We are offering a Mixed Dozen of the following four wines:
Mas Saint Louis la Perdrix Blanc 2024
IGP d’Oc
This is lovely mix of 70% Roussanne and 30% Viognier with temperature-controlled fermentation.
It has a perfumed honeysuckle nose, which leads into a juicy mouthful of peach, apricots and mango with good concentration with refreshing acidity and good length. Just slips down all too easily!
Château Saint Louis la Perdrix Les Grandes Tablées Blanc 2023
AOP Costières de Nîmes
This features 70% Grenache Blanc from an old plot, with 20% Roussanne and 10% Viognier.
The grapes are harvested by hand and gently pressed in whole bunches, followed by a temperature-controlled fermentation between 16-18°C. It is aged for six months on its fine lees in new barrels of 100% French oak, with occasional stirring to add richness and a toasty finish.
Aromas of stone fruits – with a hint of toasty oak – leap out of the glass. It is full and round in the mouth, bursting with flavours of nectarine and peach, and finishing with lemon zest and a touch of aniseed. Gorgeous!
Château Saint Louis la Perdrix Rouge 2023
AOP Costières de Nîmes
This is made with 50% of 45-year old Syrah vines and 30% of 50-year old Grenache with 20% Mourvèdre and no oak-aging.
It is a vibrant purple with damsons on the nose. On the palate there is loads of soft raspberry and damson fruit with gentle tannins and a hint of liquorice at the finish. Quite delicious, and as the Vianney says “Best enjoyed when in good company!“
Château Saint Louis la Perdrix Les Grandes Tablées Rouge 2023
AOP Costières de Nîmes
This is made with 50% of 45-year old Syrah, 35% of 50-year old Grenache and 15% of very old vine Carignan. The grapes are destemmed and vinified in stainless steel, and then aged in old oak barrels for ten months.
It is medium/deep purple in colour. There are hereby aromas of the garrigue mixed with black fruits. In the mouth it is concentrated, silky with black cherries and summer pudding fruit flavours and a hint of mint and liquorice. There are soft, ripe tannins at the finish with a lingering aftertaste. This cries out for a good steak!
