The story of this winery begins when André Iché inherited his Minervois-based estate several decades back, and he immediately realized he had some special vineyards. The vines were old and located on rocky hillsides, but they needed a little bit of tender loving care. He nursed these old gnarly vines back to health, and began making wines from these old Carignan, Syrah, and Grenache plantings.
Andre’s daughter Marie-Pierre took over in 2007 and started producing this cuvee of mostly very old vine carignan and a bit of Syrah in honor of the Cathars, a peace-loving group of vegetarian Catholics who were proclaimed heretics by the church and thus massacred back in the 13th century. Memories run long in rural Roussillon.
The wine is crafted from old-vine Carignan and other traditional varieties, showcasing the depth of the region’s terroir. With organic farming at its core, the estate produces a wine that is natural, expressive, and full of life.
From the first sip, this red bursts with ripe dark fruit—blackberries, plums—alongside subtle earthy notes and a touch of spice. The lively acidity ensures it remains fresh, while the firm tannins provide structure without overpowering the fruit’s vibrancy. There’s a rustic charm to this wine, a reflection of the Languedoc’s rough, sun-drenched landscape.
