Winemaker Notes
Chateau Sainte Eulalie is located in the Minervois region of France’s Languedoc, midway between Narbonne and the Medieval town of Carcassonne. The snowy peaks of the Pyrenees can be seen on the horizon and Narbonne and the Mediterranean lie 45 minutes to the south.
The estate is comprised of 34 hectares on terraces 200 meters above the town of La Liviniere. Long regarded as the finest section of Minervois, La Liviniere has now been recognized as an official "Cru de Languedoc" and is entitled to its own appellation.
The stony soil of clay and limestone is planted with Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault, with an average age of 25 years. The domaine also includes some century-old Carignan vines and 70 year-old Grenache. Viticulture is organic and is Certified Sustainable.
Granted its own appellation within Minervois in the Languedoc region of France, Minervois La Livinière takes its name from cella vinaria, Latin for ‘wine cellar.’ In the hilly northern end of Minervois, the altitude and dense, rocky limestone soils of La Liviniere produce quality red Rhône Blends made from Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache and Carignan.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.