Vignobles Chatonnet (SARL Dionysal)

The vines are located in the communes of Saint Mathieu de
Tréviers near Montpellier and extend into the hinterland of the
Cévennes foothills. The soils are of a clay-limestone nature and
come from the scree of the slopes of the Pic Saint Loup. The
climatic conditions of this particular region contribute to the
specificity of this wine. Indeed, the significant temperature
differences (the days are hot and the nights especially cool)
facilitate and enhance the maturation process. The harmonious
rainfall allows a development favourable to quality. This wine is from organic viticulture.

The vines are located in the communes of the Pic Saint Loup
to the hinterland of the Cévennes piedmont.The soils are of a
clay-limestone nature and come from the scree of the slopes of
the Pic Saint Loup. The climatic conditions contribute to the
specificity of the wines. Indeed, the significant differences in
temperature (the days are hot and the nights especially cool)
facilitate and enhance the maturation process. The harmonious
rainfall allows a development to the quality of the wine.

The terroirs of Fronsac are surrounded by superb landscapes
of plateaus and hillsides that give it the air of the «Tuscany of
Bordeaux». The soils of the Esprit de Fronsac are essentially
clay-limestone on the plateaus and hillsides, with a minority of
siliceous clay at the foot of the slopes. The molasse of Fronsadais,
the typical clay of the right bank of Bordeaux, marks the slopes
and the valleys. It is the quality of these soils, supplied with water in a regular way and without stress with an undulating relief,
which confers to the wines of Fronsac their characteristic flavor.

Unfortunately, the harvest was a little small and the vintage was absolutely
miraculous. Despite the surprising weather conditions until the beginning of
the summer, the high level of sunshine thereafter until the beginning of the
autumn allowed the grapes to reach an absolutely extraordinary maturity. We
were able to extract the quintessence of the fruit, with very high quality
tannins, complex wines and a very present fruit taste.

Very nice coloring intensity. The Archangel 2015 has a dense and deep appearance. Opulent nose of mixed black and red fruits; notes of spicy blueberry compote with liquorice and Bourbon vanilla. Attack full, quite dense, both lively and
very silky. We find the beautiful frame of Merlot tannins typical of the Archangel
with a freshness throughout the tasting characteristic of its clay soil. Beautiful
structure, both elegant and armed for the long time in bottle with already a beautiful aromatic complexity enhanced by notes of cocoa and brown tobacco.

The 2018 Archange, a pure expression of Merlot on clay, has a wonderful
aroma, fleshiness, sweetness and lots of freshness despite a rather late
harvest for the variety (30 September). This vintage has great balance,
freshness, power and wonderful length on the palate, with lots of elegance
and finesse to balance out its power.

JAMES SUCKLING - january 2018 - Score 91
Attractive ripeness and richness here. A wine that has the freshness of the
vintage too. Dark plum and berries pervade nicely polished tannins. Drink
or hold.

La couleur est dense et profonde. Le premier nez nous transporte dans
un méli-mélo de fruits noirs signe d’une belle maturité des cépages
composant la trilogie de La Sergue : mûre noire pour le Merlot, Cerise
bigarreau pour le Malbec et framboise cuite pour le Cabernet Franc. L’élevage
a sublimé l’intégration des terroirs et apporte les notes typiques de cèdre et
de réglisse caractéristiques de ce cru. La belle matière du La Sergue 2018 se
livre ensuite généreusement en bouche ; un vin voluptueux sans lourdeur,
tout simplement somptueux. Grande capacité de garde et tentation de le
consommer sans délai s’affrontent violemment pour notre plus grand
plaisir.

2018 is truly a fine vintage of Haut-Chaigneau, seductive, with a good structure in the mouth and a very good length, a vintage also particularly rich in tannins, with an unprecedented complexity and an exceptional aromatic and gustatory freshness due to a natural concentration linked to the small yield (36hl/ha). A vintage that consumers will be able to appreciate immediately, but which will be a sure bet for ageing, with a potential superior to that of 2015 and equivalent to, and perhaps even superior to, that of 2016.

Spring weather seriously reduced the potential yield, but the hot summer of 2014,
combined with the well-drained clay on sand subsoil, enabled the grapes to grow
well – without suffering from periodic excessive temperatures – and to ripen more
quickly than expected! This vintage called for demanding work in the vineyard and
careful sorting. The effort was unquestionably worth it, because 2014 ARCHANGE
has an exceedingly deep colour and a magnificent range of ripe fruit. The wine
displays the freshness and smoothness of the best wines of Saint-Emilion. This
2014 is beautifully concentrated with velvety tannin and great depth of flavour.
L’ARCHANGE is once again surprisingly good thanks to perfect Merlot grapes!