Home > Producer Profiles > Languedoc Profiles > St Martin de la Garrigue

Chateau St Martin de la Garrigue

There is an incredible amount of history at this domaine, which is now run by Jean-Claude Zabalia. The site was originally Roman, but by the 9th Century it was a Christian site. Records refer to a priory at St Martin de la Garrigue in 847, and indeed there is a small chapel on the site which dates from about this time. More recently, St Martin de la Garrigue was run by Francois Henry, but the family sold it in 1990, and in 1992 it changed hands again, coming into the ownership of Promodes, a chain of supermarkets. Zabalia oversees the estate on their behalf. When Zabalia took over at this property only 20% of the vineyards were classified as AC, the rest were used to make vin de pays. Application for the AC boundary for Coteaux du Languedoc to be extended to include more of the vineyards was successful, and since 1997 90% of the vineyards are AC.

There is quite a range of wines produced here. The Picpoul de Pinet is one of the most significant, made using low yields, typically less than 30 hl/ha, achieved with green harvesting. There is also a Coteaux du Languedoc white blend and a Chardonnay. The reds include Cuvée Bronzinelle, a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Carignan, Cuvée Reserve, a Cabernet Merlot blend, and Cuvée Tradition, a Syrah Carignan blend. The most serious wine is Cuvée St Martin, a blend of Syrah and Mourvèdre which sees some time en barrique. (22/3/04)

Contact details:
Address: 34530 Montagnac
Telephone: +33 (0) 4 67 24 00 40
Fax: +33 (0) 4 67 24 16 15

Chateau St Martin de la Garrigue - Tasting Notes

Click to locate stockists.

2001

Chateau St Martin de la Garrigue Coteaux du Languedoc Picpoul de Pinet 2001: This property has a reputation for producing one of the best examples of Picpoul de Pinet. The colour is a pale lemon-gold. It has a lovely nose, full of citrus and stone fruit, with mineral and floral character. Balanced, fresh, clean, but with a delicious fatness on the palate. Lovely acidity. It's packed with lime and peach flavour. There's even a touch of spritz on the finish, and some length. This is delightful. Like many whites of the Languedoc and Roussillon it hides its 14% alcohol well. 16.5/20 (March 2004) Label