At 2250 route de Teyran, in Saint-Drézéry, the Cave du Château presents the estate's wines: reds, whites and rosés from the Languedoc and Pic Saint-Loup, Bib'Art and vodkas. It sells them on site, from Tuesday to Saturday.
THE SHOP
The Cave du Château
THE METHOD
Tasting in four steps
Tasting always follows the same order, from the colour to the finish. Here with Argali rosé, the estate's ambassador cuvée.
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The eye
Look at the colour and its brilliance. Argali rosé is pale pink, almost crystal-clear. -
The nose
Smell the wine once, then again after swirling it in the glass. Argali rosé opens on grapefruit and exotic fruit. -
The palate
Describe the attack, the texture and the balance. On the palate, Argali rosé is lively, crisp and fresh. -
The finish
Measure how long the aromas linger after each sip, and what they leave behind. For Argali, a fresh, fruity finish.
FROM THE BARREL
In the cellar, on request
For groups and companies, a cellar visit and a barrel tasting can be arranged on request. You taste the wine while it is still ageing, drawn from the barrel, among casks painted by more than 160 artists.
THE WINES
The estate's styles
Puech-Haut wines are tasted by style, from pale, direct-pressed rosés to the reds of Pic Saint-Loup, by way of whites that are sometimes lively, sometimes round.
The rosés. Most are served between 6 and 8 °C. Argali rosé, the estate's ambassador cuvée, blends Grenache and Cinsault; it is pressed directly and then fermented at low temperature. Pale colour, grapefruit, exotic fruit, a lively palate. Theyron rosé, which blends Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre, is rounder, with redcurrant and spice. Aged for six months in barrels, Tête de Bélier rosé is served slightly less chilled, between 8 and 10 °C.
The lively whites. Theyron white, 100% Rolle, and Argali white play on freshness, with citrus and white-fleshed fruit. Serve them between 8 and 12 °C.
The round whites. Prestige white, Marsanne and Roussanne, and Tête de Bélier white, aged for ten months in barrels on fine lees, have more body. You find yellow fruit, honey and gingerbread. Served between 10 and 12 °C, they let their aromas come through.
The Languedoc reds. They come from the rolled pebbles of Saint-Drézéry. Tête de Bélier red, 70% Syrah, spends 18 months in barrels and large casks: garnet colour, small black fruit, delicate oak. Prestige red and Le 40ème complete this style; serve them between 16 and 17 °C.
The Pic Saint-Loup reds. Lavabre and Clos du Pic are based on Syrah and grow on cooler limestone. Spicier, they recall blackberry, blackcurrant, undergrowth and violet. Clos du Pic benefits from decanting.
Comparing. Taste a wine from Saint-Drézéry and a wine from Pic Saint-Loup side by side, and the effect of the terroir becomes clear: rolled pebbles on one side, cooler limestone on the other. The method stays the same, from the eye to the nose, then the palate and the finish.
Where. At the Cave du Château, 2250 route de Teyran, in Saint-Drézéry, from Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 6.30pm, closed on Sundays and public holidays. For groups, in the cellar, on request, among the barrels painted by more than 160 artists.
QUESTIONS
Questions about tasting
The shop is open without an appointment during its opening hours; the cellar can be visited by booking, in groups.
Where can I discover Puech-Haut wines?
At the Cave du Château, 2250 route de Teyran, in Saint-Drézéry, 16 km from Montpellier. It is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 6.30pm, and closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Do I need to book?
No, to drop in at the Cave du Château during its opening hours. Yes, for a cellar visit or a group tasting, to be arranged with the estate team. The shop can be reached on +33 4 99 62 16 00.
What is a barrel tasting?
Tasting a wine that is still ageing, drawn straight from the barrel, before blending and bottling. You discover each grape variety, or each batch, separately, before it joins the blend.
Which wines can I discover?
The rosés, starting with Argali. The Languedoc reds, such as Tête de Bélier, and those from Pic Saint-Loup, such as Lavabre. The whites, from Theyron to Prestige, then the Bib'Art and the vodkas.
Can I buy the wines on site?
Yes, the Cave du Château sells the estate's wines from Tuesday to Saturday. Elsewhere, they are available from the wine merchants and restaurants that stock Puech-Haut; the Where to find our products page gives the addresses.
A tasting for a seminar?
Yes. If your company is holding an event at the château, a cellar visit, a barrel tasting or wine activities can be added when the quote is drawn up.
TO DISCOVER
Extend your visit
The painted barrels, the château's heritage and its exhibitions, then ideas for staying in the region.
