Leon Stolarski Fine Wines Chateau La Dournie - Saint-Chinian

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Online Wine Shop > Wines by grower - alphabetical > Chateau La Dournie - Saint-Chinian

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Chateau La Dournie

Chateau La Dournie

Chateau La Dournie

Some way to the north-west of Béziers, on the fringes of the Haut Languedoc mountains, the vineyards of Saint-Chinian produce wines of great elegance and structure. Situated in the hills on the edge of the town of Saint-Chinian, with a large chateau and courtyard set amongst the vineyards, six generations of the Etienne family has produced exquisite wines, combining the unique flavours of the Languedoc with an almost Burgundian elegance. Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault are the main varieties used.

The Guide Hachette says; "Continuity is assured with this sixth generation taking the reins at La Dournie, with these magnificent cuvées, by way of confirmation." The wines are characterised by soft berry fruits with notes of violet, tapenade, garrigue herbs and a distinct mineral streak, along with gentle tannins and superb balance. They are distinctly refreshing, yet considerably complex, and - possibly more than any other appellation in Languedoc - seem to conjure up that mysterious word "terroir". Try some, and you may well see what we mean!

Chateau Etienne La Dournie 2005 - Saint-Chinian
Etienne La Dournie 2005 table

Vintage	2005
Region	Saint-Chinian, north-west of Béziers
Colour/Style	Dry red, aged for 10 months in oak barrels
Grapes	50% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 25% Carignan
Alcohol (a.b.v)	13.0%
Food	Roast red meats, vegetable and pasta dishes, game
Next day	Still fresh the next day
Drink	Over the next 5 to 8 years
Bright purple colour with a carmine rim. The nose is dominated by wonderful Syrah aromas - almost northern Rhone-like, with bramble and blackcurrant aromas complimented by notes of violets and lilies, cigar box, toasted brioche, vanilla custard, and even a hint of earthy barnyard. A very complex and alluring wine. The palate has bramble and cherry flavours, with some tarry, meaty notes and that trademark Saint-Chinian herby, mineral quality and fine acidity. This is already a stunner, but has all the ingredients with which to age and evolve beautifully over the next 5 to 8 years. Fantastic winemaking, and without doubt the best Etienne La Dournie I have tasted.

Price: £11.75 (Including: VAT at 17.5%)

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Chateau Etienne La Dournie 2006 - Saint-Chinian
Etienne La Dournie 2006 table

Vintage	2006
Region	Saint-Chinian, north-west of Béziers
Colour/Style	Dry red, aged for 10 months in oak barrels
Grapes	50% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 25% Carignan
Alcohol (a.b.v)	14.0%
Food	Roast red meats, vegetable and pasta dishes, game
Next day	Still fresh the next day
Drink	Over the next 5 to 8 years
Deep-ish, semi-opaque blood red colour with a narrow rim. As always, the nose is dominated by classic Saint-Chinian aromas of bramble, blackcurrants and raspberries galore, accompanied by violets and lilies, cigar box, brioche and intense herby, spicy notes - it really is packed with character. And the palate is just as intense and crammed full of those wonderful, minerally, fruity, herby, floral, black olive flavours of schiste-grown Syrah. Spicy, rich and warming, this wine simply oozes character and class, providing an effortless combination of restrained power and elegance. The wines from this estate just get better and better. A glorious wine, which is drinking beautifully already, but is sure to age gracefully for at least 5 years. And don't be put off by the fact that it was awarded a Gold medal at the 2009 Paris Show!

Price: £11.75 (Including: VAT at 17.5%)

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Chateau La Dournie Elise 2007 - Saint-Chinian
Chateau La Dournie Elise 2007 table

Vintage	2007
Region	Saint-Chinian, north-west of Béziers
Colour/Style	Dry red, partly aged in new oak barrels, the rest in vat
Grapes	80% Syrah, 20% Grenache (50 year old vines)
Alcohol (a.b.v)	13.5%
Food	Venison, roast beef, lamb, pork, cheese
Next day	Lovely
Drink	Over the next 5 to 10 years
A deep, blackberry-coloured core with a tiny carmine rim. The nose is incredibly fragrant and considerably complex. It has fresh plums, bramble and black cherry, along with more of that hallmark Saint-Chinian terroir - garrigue herbs, violets, black olives and a strong mineral influence from the schistous soils on which it is grown. Hints of tobacco, leather and brioche add even more interest. The palate is concentrated and balanced, with rich, spicy (but not too sweet) bramble and cherry fruit wrapped in a blanket of fine, silky tannins and mouth-watering acidity and a long, spicy finish. Those ultra-fine tannins make for a wine that is already a joy to drink, but this is another beautifully structured wine from Chateau La Dournie, with a great future. A conservative estimate would be 5 to 8 years before maturity and a 10 to 15 year life span. Another stunning wine from this, on of (if not the) greatest estates in the appelation. Awarded 2 stars in the Guide Hachette des Vins 2010.

Price: £14.25 (Including: VAT at 17.5%)

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Minimum order value, delivery charges and times

The minimum order value is £50 (plus the delivery charge). You may of course choose a mix of any wines in our range. Orders between £50 and £175: delivery charge is £6. Orders over £175: delivery is free! (If your order is over £175, please remember to change the delivery charge in checkout to £0.00). Please note: Delivery to non-mainland addresses (Scottish Highlands and Islands, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, etc.) is usually possible, but may not be on a next-working-day basis. It is also more expensive than delivery to mainland addresses, so will be charged at cost (for orders under £175) but with a small discount for orders over £175 - please call us for a quote.

Warning - you must be aged 18 or over

It is an offence to purchase or attempt to purchase alcohol if you are under the age of 18. (Section 149 Licensing Act 2003). We reserve the right to seek proof of age. Leon Stolarski says "drink less, but drink better!" Please consume alcohol in moderation.