LA FONT DES ORMES - AOP PEZENAS LANGUEDOC - FRANCE
Domaine La Font des Ormes is located in Caux, in the region of Pézenas, in the Languedoc, in a special valley bordered by two basalt flows.
AOP Pézenas-Languedoc is a triangle of about 24 km on each side, pointing downwards, and bounded on the east by the Hérault River, which flows from north to south. In the north, the terroir is sheltered by the Montagne Noire and in the southwest it is an extension of Biterrois. The altitude varies between 0 and 300 m and vines can be found at all altitudes.
Font des Ormes is located in an environment of olive and pine trees, in Caux on the road to Nizas in AOC Pézenas, at the foot of two basalt flows. Their ambition is to express the full potential of this exceptional terroir.
The origin of the name Caux has two possible meanings. It may come from the Occitan "caus" which refers to calcium oxide, a white substance obtained by calcining limestone in lime kilns. Limestone is very present on the territory and the lime kilns are very numerous. The name may also come from a pre-Indo-European expression "cal-so", meaning rock, shelter. Indeed, at its base at 103 meters above sea level, Caux dominates the entire area.
Of the 25 hectares of available vines, about fifteen hectares are vinified in the domain, while the other hectares are harvested and taken to the cooperative cellar of Montagnac. The vineyard is biologically and biodynamically managed by promoting the natural biodiversity (low walls, hedges) but also that of the crops of olive trees, truffle trees, almond trees, fig trees,... Certain parcels are also strewn with durum wheat, peas and frog wall.
The style of La Font des Ormes
Everyone agrees: the soils of Font des Ormes, with their rare mixture of limestone and basalt, form the basis of the style of the estate's wines. Especially because the two go very well together: basalt gives generosity and elegance, limestone brings depth, freshness and a more austere side.
From their first visit in 2004, Claude and Lydia Bourguignon had the intuition that this terroir lent itself particularly well to red wines. Basalt is rich in trace elements and in magnesia, responsible for a nice bitterness that gives length and nobility to the wines. Over the years, thanks to the work that has been done to restore the life of the soil, these characteristics become stronger. And the transition to biodynamic cultivation now enables them to amplify this evolution. The wines already show a real harmony between the fleshiness of the basalt and the depth of the limestone. They are wines with a lot of elegance. This blend gives a fresh, spicy side, in combination with the ripe fruitiness. The tannins give the wine a nice length and an aromatic palette that opens up in the aftertaste.
The driving force at La Font des Ormes: Mireille Fabre
Although she is very discreet, Mireille Fabre nevertheless has a leading position in Font des Ormes. Since her studies in Montpellier, a diploma in oenologist followed by training in the wine trade, this Héraultaise has built up a great experience in the field. After spending two years in the cellar of the Félines-Jourdan estate, in AOC Picpoul de Pinet, she worked for 2 years in a wholesaler in the Orléans region. She had expatriated to Dubai for a few years and was then responsible for the development of wine tourism at Château Belles-Eaux for two years.
With her versatility, she quickly left her mark on Font des Ormes and now leads the estate on a daily basis, overseeing the management of the vineyard, in particular the implementation of biodynamics, as well as winemaking and aging, in consultation with Bertrand Quesne and consultant oenologist Gwenaëlle Thomas, both associated with Domaine La Font des Ormes.
