Created in 1890 in Moux, by Jean Lignères, the Château La Baronne remains in the family from generation to generation. Since then, the estate has become a little jewel in their hands. Located on Mont Alaric (hence the cuvée of the same name), at the foot of the Corbières Massif, in Languedoc-Roussillon, the Château comprises 90 hectares, all of which are cultivated using Demeter-certified organic and biodynamic methods. Each cuvée is planted on its own plot of land, in order to differentiate the taste tendencies of each terroir. Biodiversity is particularly cherished at Château La Baronne: shelters in the vines are set up for bats, field mice, small insects and birds (effective protection against insect pests) and flocks of sheep have their place in this bucolic landscape. To visit Château La Baronne is to visit the Occitan hinterland, a return to the wonderful world of Marcel Pagnol.
Today, it is Jean Lignères - also a village doctor - and Anne who perpetuate the Languedoc wine culture with the greatest respect for nature. The Lignères family's favourite grape variety is Carignan, a grape variety that is the identity of the region and reflects the Mediterranean climate, which is dry, arid and windy, but which requires the vines to seek freshness and minerality in the clay-limestone depths. Some of the vines are even over 120 years old! As for the methods of working the vines, for the doctor-winemakers that are the Lignères, the prohibition of synthetic weedkillers is the minimum respect for their land! Also trained in biodynamic viticulture, they are able, thanks to the symbiosis between biodiversity and the vines, to deal with climate change and the ever-increasing drought. With the help of Tuscan oenologist Stefano Chioccioli in their quest for perfection, balance is the strength of Château la Baronne. Harvesting is manual, fermentations are natural, with indigenous yeasts and maturation is gentle in ceramic jars and eggs.
The Les Chemins cuvée is a blend of Carignan, Grenache Noir, Syrah and a little Mourvèdre and all in all represents the Château quite well. The colour is intense, purple with ruby hues. The wine is robust, the aromas of quetsche, black fruit and spices have a garrigue flavour that makes you want to have a great lunch in the sun. Yet the freshness is there on the finish, thanks to notes of liquorice.
To be enjoyed with a cow's tomme, a lamb tian with aubergines or a dish in sauce.
