Vignobles Canet Beaux Lieux Réserve Blanc is a nice golden colour. The nose is expressive with white fruits such as pear and peach, and real hit of grapefruit citrus. The palate is full and round, but the higher altitude of the vineyards has allowed the freshness to be preserved.
- Country: France
- Region: Languedoc
- Subregion: Pays D'Oc
- Vintage: 2018/19
- Colour: White
- Grape Variety: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Chasan
- ABV: 12%
- Bottle Size: 75cl
- Closure: Screwcap
- Style: Refreshingly fruity
- Vegetarian: Yes (not certified)
- Drink With: Sushi
The white Beaux Lieux Réserve comes from Limoux, just 25km from Carcassonne, where the foothills of the Pyrenees offer a milder climate than elsewhere in the hot Languedoc region. It is a blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and a little Chasan, a local grape variety. The juice is fermented and matured in stainless steel at low temperature to preserve the fresh and fruity flavours.
About the grower
A traditional 19th century wine estate, today Château Canet is recognised as one of the leading domaines of the Minervois region in the heart of Languedoc-Roussillon. The 45 hectares of vineyards are complimented with 3 hectares of olive groves and over 65 hectares of farmland and pine forests. With the buildings nestled at its centre the setting of the estate is truly enchanting, having uninterrupted views over the vineyards and olive groves to the Alaric mountains in the distance.
All of the original buildings are still in use, although they have been significantly modernised. The old winery is now fitted with state-of-the-art wine making equipment, allowing the Canet team to blend traditional savoir-faire with modern day techniques. The stables are now used as an ageing cellar where the wines quietly mature until ready to be bottled and enjoyed. The manor house is still a family home, and the original vignerons' lodgings have been converted into charming guest cottages should you wish to stay for a holiday rather than just pop in for a tasting and a quick wander around. Château Canet is certainly perfectly located for a break: it is only about 15 minutes away from the UNESCO world heritage sites of the Cité de Carcassonne and the Canal du Midi, and it is surrounded by the "Pays Cathare" with its rich medieval history.
The wines of Château Canet are crafted under the careful guidance of owner Floris Lemstra and oenologist Nathalie Leclercq. They take exceptional care to produce wines that perfectly balance the characters of top quality, ripe fruit with the flavours of the Minervois terroir. As they age, the Château Canet wines develop even greater complexity making it very difficult to put your glass down.
The vineyards of Château Canet are located in the middle of the Balcons de L’Aude in the Minervois region, on clay and limestone soil. The vines benefit from warm, Mediterranean weather and from the interesting climatic conditions caused by the local winds; the cool, northerly Atlantic wind called the Cers and the warm Vent Marin which blows in from the coast. The principal grape variety, covering over half of the vineyard area, is Syrah (Shiraz). 4.5 hectares of the more mineral-rich soils are planted with Chardonnay. The remaining vineyards are planted with Grenache, Merlot, and the regional varieties Marsanne and Bourboulenc which form the basis of Château Canet’s white Minervois.
80% of the domaine falls under the Minervois appellation of the Languedoc-Roussillon, and the remaining vineyards are classified as Vin de Pays d’Oc. The vineyards are managed according to the guidelines of sustainable viticulture, following the brief of Terra Vitis. This helps them to grow great grapes while respecting the environment and maintaining the long term health and sustainability of their vineyards and the surrounding agricultural land.