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The terroir
Château de Lastours is situated ona terraced vineyard of 100 hectares set in the centre of more than 600 hectares of craggy hillsides and deep canyons. The Mediterranean warmth combined with a terroir of exceptionally pebbly limestone and clay, with an eastern exposure, produces wines which find their full potential at a maturity of four or five years.
It is time alone which gives these wines their particularly harmonious quality. This aptitude for ageingis one of the dominant characteristics of the wines from Château de Lastours. The terroir produces singular, hearty wines which correspond to the varying altitudes of the vineyard terraces.
The Vineyards
The vineyards are cultivated according to traditional methods while at the same time benefiting from all the latest techniques. By following the ‘lutte raisonnée’ (limiting use of chemicals by making risk assessments) as a method of protecting the health of the vine and by adopting techniques such as pruning, training and regular, careful vineyard management, the grapes achieve the perfect maturity which gives the wines of Château de Lastours their quality and reputation.
In order to maintain the singularity of these wines from the Corbières, together with the true expression of the terroir, the vineyard is planted with Mediterranean grape varieties such as Carignan Noir, Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvedre or Cinsault for red and rosé wines, and Grenache Blanc, Carignan Blanc, Muscat Petit Grain and Bourboulenc for white wines.
The Harvest
The whole years work in the vineyard ensures the optimum ripeness of the grapes.The harvest begins when the tasting of the fruit, carried out regularly, demonstrates a perfect maturity. Here again tradition and modernity both have their place, as 80% of the picking is done by hand. Transported with the greatest care, the harvest is sorted in the ‘chais’ of the Château. Only the grapes of the highest quality are vinified. Precise and careful winemaking, using traditional methods at strictly-controlled temperatures optimises the quality of the fruit.
The wine is matured in oak barrels or vats according to the requirements of the grape variety, the terroir, and the vintage, and then bottled at the Château.
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