AOC Coteaux du Languedoc, wines Pic Saint Loup Château La Roque
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The reds :Representing 80% of the vineyard, the first plots were planted in 1957. The average age of the vines is 30 years. There are 6000 vines per hectare comprising the following grape varieties:
SYRAH: 55% - situated at the bottom and start of the slopes, on moderately deep soil and facing South/South-East.
MOURVEDRE: 25% - on a medium sloping position in clay-limestone soil, facing south.
GRENACHE: 20% - in a sloping, high position on hard limestone, facing South-East.
The whites:
Representing 20% of the vineyard, the first plots were planted in 1985. The average age of the vines is 17 years. Amongst the 6000 vines per hectare:
20% are Marsanne, 30% Rolle, 30% White Grenache and 20% Roussanne.
All are situated at the lowest part of the slope, on the exposed South/South-East in deep soil, except for a plot of Marsanne and one of Rolle which are on limestone.
Production - yield
Reds and Rosés ‘AOC Pic Saint-Loup': 100 000 bottles of 0.75 litres - 30 hl per hectare.
The property covers a single area of 80 hectares of which 32 hectares are planted with vines. On clay/limestone soil with scree, the vineyard is cultivated in terraces exposed South/South-East, constituting a natural amphitheatre composed of separate, enclosed fields integrated into the garrigue (open land) at between 125 and 230 metres of altitude.
Clay-limestone land:
Decarbonated red soil comes from the scree on the lower slopes. The soil is quite deep, which is suitable for all grape varieties, particularly the Mourvèdre, due to its reserves of water. This land is mostly situated halfway up the hillside.
Non-decarbonated beige soil formed by the limestone mother rock's progresssive disintegration is mixed with clay pockets trapped between the different stratas. The mother rock, calcified and stratified almost vertically, allows for deep roots and good drainage. The Syrah, as well as all the estate's white varieties thrive on this land which is situated at the lowest part of the hillside.
Hard limestone land:
Situated on the highest points of the estate, this land is undergoing vine-growing experiments with the hope of realising its potential for high quality - as much for Grenache as for white varieties such as Rolle and Marsanne.
Marno-limestone land:
Situated on the lowest parts of the hillside, this is characterised by deeper soil which favours Syrah thanks to its generous reserves of water. White varieties flourish here.
White ‘AOC Coteaux du Languedoc: 20,000 bottles of 75 cl - 40 hl per hectare.