DOMAINE
Lancement
Domaine de Lancement is a property of around 100 hectares of which only 4 hectares are vines. Until 2003 all the grapes were delivered to a wine making cooperative. In 2003 the 17th century barn at Lancement was converted into a 'chai de vinification' and from then on all the grapes are used to make wine at Lancement.
With her passion and spirit of youth, after valuable experience with wine producers from abroad and from the South West of France, Sandrine brings her formidable experience and 'saviour-faire' to the family domaine.
Grapes
The grape varieties that we find at Domaine de Lancement are the Malbec and the Merlot.
Malbec
The king and original grape of the Cahors wine region is found in all the west of France and has done well for the wine producers of Argentina. It gives the wine a deep colour with hints of violet. It brings a good tannin structure in the mouth and consequently a good aptitude for aging. The aromas that we find are generally those of violet and black fruits or maybe liquorice. It represents 70% of our grapes.
Merlot
This is the grape of Saint-Emilion and of Pomerol. At Domaine de Lancement we appreciate it for the roundeness and aromas that it brings to our wines. It represents 30% of our grapes.
Climate
The vines are situated at an altitude of 200m and are about 10Km from the river Lot. The diurnal thermal amplitude at this location is more pronounced and augments the aromatic potential of the wine.
They are under the influence of an oceanic climate but the Autan wind also has an effect and results in very good weather during September and October. Also, the distance from the ocean means that the winters are cold and the summers very hot and dry, and the storms can be violent.
Domaine de Lancement is situated on the borders of the Causses du Quercy, approximately 200m above sea level and 10Km from the River Lot. The thermal amplitude is therefore more pronounced delaying the maturity of the grapes and increasing the aromatic potential of the wines.
We are under the influence of an oceanic climate but the 'Vent d'Autan' (a wind from south, south-east) is also very influential and allows us to have good weather in September and October. Situated a long way inland from the sea the winters can be cold (sometimes even very heavy frosts) and the summers very hot and dry, with sometimes violent storms.
Soil
We are in the foothills of the Causses du Quercy. The soils are clay-limestone, not very deep or well drained.
When planting we take into account the conditions most suitable for the grapes. The Merlot is planted on the areas where the soil is deepest and Malbec is planted where the soil is shallower.