Wines Corbières Château Haut-Fontane - Tradition - 2015

Viniou Reviews

Château Haut-Fontane 2015 Cuvée Tradition hails from the Corbières AOC, one of the largest and most dynamic appellations within the Languedoc region. This red wine, labelled as "Cuvée Tradition", is typically crafted from a blend of classic southern grape varieties such as Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, and Mourvèdre, emblematic of the area. The 2015 vintage offers a wine that benefits from maturity, displaying a lovely balance between fresh fruit, subtle leather notes, and underlying hints of Mediterranean herbs. Made under organic certification, the vinification process is likely to favour gentle extraction and the preservation of authentic, terroir-driven flavours, with minimal intervention in the cellar.

The Languedoc region in southern France boasts a rich viticultural heritage, with Corbières standing out for its striking diversity of soils—ranging from schist and limestone to clay—and a pronounced Mediterranean climate. Warm, dry summers and cooling breezes from the nearby mountains and the sea help to ripen the grapes fully while preserving their natural acidity. This combination, along with well-draining terrain, produces robust, deeply coloured reds with good structure and aromatic complexity. Historically, the region has evolved from bulk production to focus on quality, particularly as organic viticulture becomes increasingly prominent.

For pairing, the Château Haut-Fontane 2015 shines alongside grilled lamb cutlets with Provençal herbs, classic cassoulet of the region, or a hearty ratatouille. Its supple tannins and layers of ripe black fruit also make it a fine companion for slow-cooked beef daube or mature cheeses like Comté and Tomme de Brebis. The wine’s earthy elements and gentle spice integrate beautifully with Mediterranean fare rich in olive oil, garlic, and aromatic herbs.

To taste this Corbières at its best, serve it at 16-18°C. Decanting for 30 minutes prior to serving can help the wine express its complexity, especially now that it has benefited from some bottle age. This approach will reveal both the depth and the refined character that typify well-made, organic Languedoc reds.