Domaine Prieuré Saint Jean de Bébian, covering 32 hectares, is currently composed of 43 different plots, all preserved for their geological diversity and exposure.
The red grape varieties (divided into 40% Grenache Noir, 30% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre, and 10% Cinsault) are grown on three types of soil. There is a soil composed of Villafranchian limestones and clay-limestones, one of basalt from volcanic flows, and a third argillaceous-siliceous soil made of white quartz pebbles and travertine.
The white grape varieties, divided between Roussanne (50%), Grenache Blanc (20%), Vermentino (15%), and Clairette (10%), have a soil composed of Miocene limestone, whose active limestone content approaches that of great white wine terroirs such as Chablis or Meursault.
At Prieuré Saint-Jean-de-Bébian, history looks at you. Cistercian monks, who arrived in the 11th century, began cultivating vines as early as 1152, on these Pézenas terroirs. Several figures of Languedoc winemaking have succeeded each other at the head of this emblematic estate, starting with Alain Roux, who in the 1970s introduced exceptional plant material, notably sourcing Syrahs from Domaine Gérard Chave, Grenaches from Château Rayas, and Mourvèdres from Domaine Tempier. In addition to this formidable plant heritage, the estate benefits from a mosaic of soils, plots, exposures, and microclimates. The ambition today is to bring a breath of fresh air to the Priory and to revive the great wines of the past.
The estate continues to practice traditional cultivation and manual harvesting to respect its vines as much as possible. In the heart of the Coteaux du Languedoc appellation, the vineyard, derived from massal selection, is classified as "Cru Pézenas". The recent arrival of young Benoît Pontenier has allowed the cru to rise to the rank it deserves! With Demeter certification and the removal of SO2, the wines have never been so appealing, floral, and relaxed.
The wines produced, very Mediterranean, both powerful and balanced, are preferably consumed after long aging, from about ten years old. They have a very good capacity to age harmoniously, being generous and refined.
# Organic, Languedoc, Red, Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Elegant, Round, Deep, Duck with olives, Daube, Cheeses, Biodynamic
