Château Canadel is a unique site with a history dating back to Roman times, where there is evidence of a villa with an olive press and wine vats. Between the 15th and 20th century it has changed ownership just three times and in 2007 it was bought by Jacques and Caroline de Chateauvieux, who fell in love with this “paradise on earth”. They decided to revive the winery and return here from la Réunion with their family. Their daughter, Laure and her husband Vianney took to the helm of the estate in 2009; both trained at Beauvais agricultural college and spent several years accruing valuable knowledge and experience in winemaking before producing their first vintage in 2014. They practice biodynamic methods in the vineyard, prioritising soil health and seeking the purest expression of the Canadel terroir.

This Altum cuvée owes its name to the position of the Mourvèdre and Cinsault vines which sink their roots deep into the clay earth on the seat of this domaine, growing at around 250m altitude. Here the 40 year-old vines yield around 32 hl/ha; harvests are manual and the fruit is destemmed before a 3 week fermentation in cement vats. Over the course of fermentation, daily pump-overs facilitate the extraction of colour and flavour and the eventual maturation in 30 hl barrels lasts 18 months. Altum has tonnes of character, pairing beautifully with wild boar or roast meats. The attack is clean on the palate, followed by a good volume, with seductive aromas of red fruits and woody garrigue. Tightly knit tannins mellow to give a superb length in the mouth. Suitable for a long cellaring: up to 20 years!