The estate
The estate wines!
Stricou, land of my fathers
Our estate wines, born on the 4 hectares of Domaine de Stricou, in the Malepère, at the far western edge of the Languedoc: a red, a “rougé” and a white, each one a reflection of its plot. Grapes in organic conversion, picked by hand and fermented with indigenous yeasts.
Very Far Ouest – Cabernet Franc
The estate’s signature cuvée.
On gentle south-facing slopes looking out to the Pyrenees, the Cabernet Franc benefits from the Malepère’s oceanic influence. Half is made by carbonic maceration in a truncated-cone oak vat, the other half destemmed in stainless steel. Blended, then aged 9 months in a concrete egg, inspired by Roman jars.
Le Rougé de René – Malbec
A tribute to the light reds of the old days, and to René, the grandfather.
35 ares of south-facing Malbec, at the foot of the house, beneath the cedars. Half is direct-pressed like a rosé, the other half destemmed: the two co-ferment with indigenous yeasts, then age 9 months in stainless steel. A clairet, or “rougé”, whichever you prefer.
La Face Nore – Albariño & Chenin Blanc
A white with character, facing the Pic de Nore.
The Albariño, north-facing, keeps all its freshness under the Cers wind; the Chenin Blanc, west-facing, is aged 9 months on its lees in a concrete egg. Fermented at low temperature with indigenous yeasts, then blended.
In the vineyard – The estate’s 4 hectares grow on soils born from the formation of the Pyrenees: sandstone, marl and rounded pebbles. The hills give each plot its own exposure, soil depth and therefore its own personality. Everything is harvested by hand, in 12 kg crates.
In the cellar – Indigenous yeasts, oak, stainless steel and concrete egg vats, and 9 months of ageing for every cuvée. The labels, by Charles Amen, are Indian ink drawings of each wine’s plot.
TASTING NOTES
Very Far Ouest: deep, elegant and remarkably fresh. The uniqueness of the Malepère, between oceanic influence and the first foothills of the Pyrenees.
Le Rougé de René: juicy, easy-drinking and bright. A light red in the spirit of a clairet, fresh and honest.
La Face Nore: fresh, precise and intensely aromatic, carried by a lovely mineral tension and an elegant finish.
Our estate wines in pictures
La Face Nore (White)
18€
Albariño & Chenin Blanc
IGP Pays d’Oc
12 % vol. 
75 cl
The estate
A land of character
At the far western edge of the Languedoc, the Malepère feels the influence of the ocean and looks out to the Pyrenees. A “Little Tuscany” of rolling hills as far as the eye can see.
Picked by hand
All the estate’s vines are harvested by hand, in 12 kg crates, to protect every bunch.
In organic conversion
The estate’s grapes are in conversion to organic farming, fermented with indigenous yeasts, then aged 9 months in a concrete egg or stainless steel.
One plot, one label
Three plots, three cuvées. Each label is an Indian ink drawing by Charles Amen depicting the wine’s plot.
FAQ
Understanding the estate wines
What is Domaine de Stricou?
Our family estate in the Malepère, at the far western edge of the Languedoc: 4 hectares of vines, a house and three estate cuvées.
Why “in organic conversion”?
The vines are farmed organically. Certification requires a three-year transition: during this period, the grapes are described as “in conversion”.
What is a “rougé” wine?
A clairet: somewhere between a full-bodied rosé and a light red. Le Rougé de René blends one part pressed directly, like a rosé, and one part made like a red.
Are these wines made from resistant grape varieties?
No. The estate wines are made from traditional grape varieties (Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Albariño and Chenin Blanc), grown on the Malepère terroir.
