Until 1789 (the onset of the French Revolution) the Domaine of Bousquette belonged to the Abbey of Fontcaude. After the Revolution and the expropriation of the Church properties it was then acquired by Sieur Moustelou of Cessenon.
He was the first of a long succession of wine-makers. The family Fabre-Ginoulhac owned the property until 1996; but already in 1972 they began to follow the principles of the "Nature and Progress" approach to vine cultivation. Since then the Domaine has been certified by Ecocert as a "biological culture" vineyard, using neither chemical fertilizers, nor weed-killers or pesticides. 

In 1996, Eric and Isabelle Perret, a Swiss couple, fell in love with the area and the vineyard and purchased it. They too were totally convinced of the great value of biological farming and since they took over Château Bousquette, they have continually restructured and improved all aspects of the property - always aiming at producing even better biologically grown wines.

The vineyards of Château Bousquette are situated on the flanks of a valley, above the Orb river and the town of Cessenon, 15 km north/west of the City of Béziers
in the South of France.

The stony, clay and limestone slopes of the vineyards are within the "Appellation Contrôlée (AOC)" of Saint-Chinian.

The 25 hectares of vines are surrounded by the "Garrigue" wilderness, which greatly helps to keep the vines within the norms of biological cultivation.
The vineyeards are located between 100 and 150 m above sea level and the vinesare pruned according to traditional methods (called "en cordon de Royat") and Guyot.

                                  
 

                                 THE WINES                                    

Five Grape varieties are grown on the Domaine. All are perfectly adapted both to the warm, dry Languedoc climate and the clay, limestone soils.

The grape varieties are Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault.
The average age of the wines (in 2007) was 30 years. The Domaine produces five red and one rosé wines - all under the AOC Appellation of Saint-Chinian.

Grape harvesting is done half by machine and half by hand. The stems are removed and the vinification (wine-making)  is carried out using traditional methods with careful control of the temperature.

Some of the wines mature in oak barrels for 12 months while others mature in vats (details below). These methods stimulate the wines to evolve and refine their unique Saint-Chinian characteristics and taste. The wines are carefully bottled to assure high quality from the vine to the table.

Château Bousquette  - Cuvée Absolu

A blend of Mourvèdre who has made his malolacti fermentation in oak barrels. The Mourvèdre is kept in barrels during 12 months and after we add Grenache and old Carignan.

Château Bousquette - Cuvée Prestige

A blend of Syrah and Grenache, with a light touch of Carignan.
Yield : about 25 hl per hectare ( a low yield ensures much concentration and body)
Ageing : in oak barrels for 12 months

 
Château Bousquette - Cuvée Pruneyrac

Red wine : a blend of predominantly Mourvèdre with some Grenache
Yield : about 25 hl per hectare
Ageing : 12 month in vats

 

Château Bousquette - Cuvée Tradition

Red wine : made up of a blend of four grape varieties - Syrah, Grenache,
                Mourvèdre and Carignan.
Yiedl : about 30 hl per hectare
Ageing : in vats.

 Château Bousquette -  Rosé 

Rosé wine : produced by gravity flow of the juices of Cinsault, Syrah and
                  Genache grapes.
Yield : about 35 hl per hectare.
This fresh, fruity wine should be enjoyed while it is young. 

Mas des Huppes - Tradition

Red wine made up with four kind of grapes as our cuvée Tradition.
Yield : about 30 hl/ha
Aging : in steel during two year
This fruity and powerful wine will suit with "charcuterie", poultry and cheese. 
   

                                           Medals from Château Bousquette                               

 

Château Bousquette, cuvée Tradition rosé

 16^ème Concours des Vins Bio du Languedoc Roussillon, mai 2004 ,  Cuvée Rosé 2003 – Médaille d’Or

 

Château Bousquette, cuvée Tradition

Guide Gilbert & Gaillard 2011, pour la cuvée Tradition rouge 2007  -  82/100

Concours Challenge Millésime Bio 2010, Cuvée Tradition rouge 2006   -  Médaille d’Or

Concours Général Agricole Paris 2007 pour la Cuvée Tradition rouge 2005 – Médaille d’Or 

16^ème Concours des Vins Bio du Languedoc Roussillon, mai 2004, Cuvée Tradition rouge 2001 – Médaille d’Or

Concours National des Vins Bio (Amphore) 2001 pour la Cuvée Tradition rouge 2000 – Médaille de Bronze

Guide Gilbert & Gaillard, octobre 2001 pour la Cuvée Tradition rouge 1999 – note 83/100

Concours Général Agricole Paris 2001 pour la Cuvée Tradition rouge 1999 – Médaille d’Argent  

Concours des Vins Bio du Languedoc-Roussillon, mai 2000, Cuvée Tradition rouge 1999 – Médaille de Bronze

Concours National des Vins Bio (Amphore) 2000 pour la Cuvée Tradition rouge 1999 – Médaille de Bronze

 

Château Bousquette - cuvée Pruneyrac

Guide Gilbert & Gaillard 2011, pour la cuvée Pruneyrac 2007,  84/100

The Wine Advocate no 183 – juin 09  Pruneyrac 2006  88/100

The Wine Advocate No 183 – juin 09  Pruneyrac 2005 87/100

Guide Gilbert & Gaillard 2009, Pruneyrac 2005,  86/100

Concours des Grands Vins de France,  Mâcon 2007, Cuvée Pruneyrac rouge 2005 – Médaille d’Argent

Concours Général Agricole Paris 2007 pour la Cuvée Pruneyrac rouge 2005 – Médaille d’Argent

Concours Général Agricole Paris 2006 pour la Cuvée Pruneyrac rouge 2004 – Médaille d’Argent

Concours Signature Bio du Languedoc-Roussillon  2006 pour la Cuvée Puneyrac 2004,  - Médaille de Bronze

Guide Hachette 2005, Cuvée Pruneyrac 2002 - citation

Concours Général Agricole Paris 2004 pour la Cuvée Pruneyrac rouge 2002 – Médaille de Bronze

Concours de Mâcon, mai 2003 pour la Cuvée Pruneyrac rouge 2001 – Médaille de Bronze

 

Château Bousquette, cuvée Prestige

Concours Challenge Millésime Bio 2010, cuvée Prestige 2006  -  médaille d’argent

Guide Hachette 2010, cuvée Prestige 2006, citation

Guide Hachette 2009, cuvée Prestige 2005, citation

Guide Gilbert et Gaillard 2009, cuvée Prestige 2004,  82/100

Guide HACHETTE 2008, cuvée Prestige 2004  -  une étoile

Concours des Grand Vins du Languedoc Roussillon, mai 2007,  Cuvée Prestige rouge 2004– Médaille d’Argent

Guide HACHETTE 2007, cuvée Prestige 2003  -  deux étoiles

Guide HACHETTE 2006, cuvée Prestige 2002  -  deux étoiles

Concours Signature Bio du LR et PACA 2006, cuvée Prestige 2002  - Médaille d’Or

Vinalies Nationales , mai 2005, Cuvée Prestige rouge 2001 – Grand Prix d’Excellence

Concours des Vins Bio du Languedoc Roussillon, mai 2005,  Cuvée Prestige rouge 2001 – Médaille d’Argent

DECANTER World Wine Awards, mai 2004 pour la Cuvée Prestige rouge 2001    -  Médaille d’Argent

Concours des Vins Bio du Languedoc Roussillon, juin 2002,  Cuvée Prestige rouge 2000 – Médaille d’Or

Wine & Spirit , septembre 2001 pour la Cuvée Prestige rouge 1998  - note 90/100

Concours des Grands Vins du Languedoc-Roussillon 2001 pour la Cuvée Prestige rouge 1998 – Silène d’Or

 

Château Bousquette, cuvée Absolu

Guide Gilbert & Gaillard, cuvée l’Absolu 08,  86/100

Concours des Vignerons Indépendants de France, Colmar 2010,  Cuvée l’Absolu 2008 – Médaille d’Argent

Concours des Grands Vins du Languedoc Roussillon, Cuvée l’Absolu 2008 – Médaille d’Argent

Château Bousquette   -   34460 Cessenon - Languedoc  (France)

Tél : 04.67.89.65.38   Fax :  04.67.89.57.58

www.chateaubousquette.com   labousquette@wanadoo.fr

 

 

CONTACT  AND   VISIT                      Château Bousquette  Isabelle & Eric Perret   Rte de Cazouls  34460   CESSENON SUR ORB Tél. :  04 67 89 65 38   / 06.31.03.98.76. Fax : 04 67 89 57 58  e-mail : labousquette@wanadoo.fr   If you plan to visit us and come by the A9 Highway exit at the Béziers West (Béziers Ouest). From Béziers follow the Departmental D 14 road, via Maraussan and Cazouls-les-Béziers. You will be most welcome. Since wine making is a full time job for a small producer please contact us before to make an appointment for wine tasting or purchasing. This will allow us to serve you best.   What you see around Bousquette: Abbaye de Fontcaude, La Base des Réals, La ferme Zoo, La Carrière de Coumiac, Le Parc Naturel du Haut Languedoc, l'Oppidum d'Ensérune