The Famille Fabre domaine dates back 14 generations to 1604 when the wines were made from simple small plots of vines for the family and friends of the area. Fast-forward over four hundred years, and the estate's growth has not only been impressive, but the focus on quality and respect for the land they have grown into, has grown at even more stunning rates. The family now operates 5 individual and small Chateau throughout the Languedoc, each focusing on different terroir, different climate, and the differing native grapes, with respect for the land and grapes as their top priority. Louis Fabre became one of the first in the Languedoc to 'go green' in 1991 by converting the property to organics, and in 2014 the estate was awarded with the level 3 HVE (high environmental value). The Équilibre range of wines is a portion of their consciously farmed fruit that is dedicated to predominantly single varieties and from general IGP areas of the estate. Working to showcase the vibrancy of each grape and the terroir from which it comes, this group of remarkable values from the south of France is a beautiful accompaniment to the AOC expressions of the domaine. .
famille fabre 'équilibre' sauvignon blanc
100% sauvignon blanc The 2020 Équilibre Sauvignon Blanc vineyards comes from the south side of the famous village of Beziers, just east of the AOC Corbieres. The young vines are planted in limestone rich soils, with a clear south and southeastern exposure to the daily winds that typically come from the south over the Mediterranean. Once the fruit is brought to the cellar, the grapes ferment in stainless steel tanks and then rest for 3 months before filtration and bottling. The resulting wine is electric and a shockingly delicious drinking Sauvignon Blanc that still remains true to character, while being easy on the palate. Bright apples, herbs, and lemon pith come through on the nose, while the palate is zippy with minerals, fresh grapefruit, lime, and papaya. 
famille fabre 'équilibre' pinot noir
100% pinot noir The Équilibre Pinot Noir comes from vines planted on clay and limestone soils in an area just on the east side of the well-known town of Beziers in the Languedoc. The grapes were brought to the cellar and fully destemmed before fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Once complete, the wine was moved into new French barrels of 300 liters and laid to rest for around six months before it was lightly filtered and bottled. The resulting wine has a lovely aromatic appeal, full of summer strawberries, red roses, and a slight peaty character. In the mouth, this red is soft and supple, full of ripe garden berries, earthy mushrooms, and river rocks. The acidity is very balanced with the fruit and soft tannins, all of which follow through to an easy and mouth-watering finish. |
famille fabre 'équilibre' chardonnay
100% chardonnay The Équilibre Chardonnay comes from the wide reaching and rolling hills of the Languedoc countryside, full of pebbles and lime-rich marl soils, and exposed daily to either the warm yet fresh winds of the Mediterranean, or the cold Mistral winds of the north. The 20-year-old vines sit just north of Beziers, and were harvested and brought into the cellar for fermentation in stainless steel. The majority of the wine spent six months aging in those tanks, while about 20% was aged in new French oak barrels of 300-liters. The wine was lightly filtered and fined and then bottled, ready for market, entering as a vibrant display of French Chardonnay, clean and fresh while loaded with texture and complexity. The aromas are packed with apricots, Bartlett pears, pansies, and hints of stony earth. In the mouth, the texture is round and supple yet full of juicy acidity, crisp tree fruits, sweet spice, and a long minerally finish. 
famille fabre 'équilibre' cabernet sauvignon
100% cabernet sauvignon The Équilibre Cabernet Sauvignon is the truest form of Cabernet from the Languedoc region in the south of France, coming from a 3-hectare plot of 20-year-old vines. The grapes are brought to the cellar for a cold maceration with the skins and fermentation using the ‘pied de cuve’ in stainless steel. This ‘mother’ style inoculation uses a yeast called bioprotection which encourages very healthy micro-organisms to aid in the fermentation over bad bacteria and any spoilage type yeasts, as this wine never sees any use of sulfites from start to finish. This method, along with only a brief time in stainless steel before bottling, lends to a gorgeously bright and vibrant expression of the Cabernet grapes. Licorice, blackberry, and tangy spice explode in the nose, while this fresh red gives a soft yet exciting mouth-feel full of black cherry, juicy blackberry, clove, and black pepper. |
famille fabre 'équilibre' viognier
100% viognier The Équilibre Viognier comes from a beautiful area in the center of the domaine’s holding, perched on hillsides in the middle of the Corbieres AOC. 15-year-old vines that grow organically on pebble filled grounds, over clay and limestone subsoil, where the daily winds play a remarkable part of the developing grape’s maturity. These conditions produce a Viognier that delivers freshness and vivacity after keeping the vinification to stainless steel and minimal aging. After a few months on lees, the wine is filtered and bottled, ready for immediate consumption to enjoy the brighter side of the grape. On the nose, the wine expresses fresh stone fruit, honeysuckle, and peppermint, and then leads to a mouthful of lovely texture, but far from heavy or cloying. Ripe peach, apricot preserves, white flowers, and all with a stony drive, this white fills the pallet from front to back, and continues to develop through to the finish with ample acidity. 
famille fabre 'équilibre' syrah - viognier
syrah, viognier The Équilibre Syrah-Viognier comes from vines planted on clay and limestone soils in an area just on the south side of Lézignan, where there are lots of small round pebbles called the Terrace of Orbíeu. Predominately Syrah, with 20% Viognier as well, the grapes were brought to the cellar together and fully destemmed before a co-fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Once complete, remained for a few months before bottling, remaining in steel to focus on the purity of fruit. The final wine is exuberant with aromatics, full of dark brambly berries, olive, pepper, and purple lilacs. In the mouth, the acidity is fresh, and wrapped seamlessly with the juicy fruity tannins, giving structure throughout the palate, but layered with softness and savory quality. This is a perfect wine for a cheese platter, or freshly cooked meats and vegetables off the grill. |