Domaine de l'Aurage – the vineyards

Domaine de l’Aurage covers twenty hectares, with 18ha of vines in one block, making the estate very easy to work. Unsurprisingly, the soil is Louis’ preferred argilo-calcaire. The vine density is 6,000 vines per hectare, with an average age of twenty years; 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. This property is within the highest area of St Genès de Castillon, adjoining St-Emilion, which has enjoyed a high reputation for many years. It is, in many ways, a dream property, a wonderful site which includes a very traditional villa, typical of those found around the seaside retreat of Arcachon.

Domaine de l'Aurage – the wine

The first vintage in which Louis had complete control over his wine, from vine to glass, warranted a change in name, in recognition of a very new regime. Thus Domaine de l’Aurage stormed onto the scene. The previous two vintages increasingly saw Louis having an input, particularly with regard to the élevage, but 2007 was the true debut.

Louis’ aim is to harvest super-ripe grapes which offer intense black fruit, slightly candied, allied to equally ripe tannins, making for a seductive, richly-textured palate. His challenge in the cellar is extracting the full potential in a gentle, regular way and then stabilising the result through long maturation in new oak barriques. Louis wants to see opulence in his wines rather than concentration with balance being the overall objective.

Domaine de l’Aurage is a tremendous ambassador for the Côtes de Castillon appellation. It prompted a unanimous thumbs-up amongst the Corney & Barrow team and we are all tremendously proud to have been involved from the outset.