La Terrasse d'Elise - Le Pigeonnier 2024
La Terrasse d’Élise is one of the most sought-after estates in Languedoc, led by Xavier Braujou, a winemaker established in Hérault and recognized for his wines of remarkable precision. Since 1998, he has been patiently building a confidential estate between Aniane and Saint-Jean-de-Fos, working on cuvées often claimed under the IGP Pays d’Hérault designation. His approach favors single grape varieties, old vines, low yields, and a very fine reading of the terroirs. Against the trend of overly extracted Languedoc reds, Xavier Braujou primarily seeks freshness, elegance, and fruit purity. The Pigeonnier 2024 fits within this philosophy by highlighting Carignan, a historic southern grape variety often underestimated but capable of great nobility when worked with precision. This cuvée expresses a deep, spicy, and refined Languedoc, without heaviness or excessive power. La Terrasse d’Élise Le Pigeonnier 2024 thus presents itself as a characterful red, both Mediterranean, silky, and very balanced.
The Le Pigeonnier 2024 cuvée is made from 100% Carignan, a grape variety that finds here a particularly accomplished expression. Carignan naturally brings a spicy framework, a tangy freshness, characterful tannins, and a beautiful aromatic depth. At Xavier Braujou’s, it is worked with gentle extraction to preserve the finesse of the grain and avoid any rusticity. Available sources mention a traditional vinification with indigenous yeasts, followed by aging of about 12 months in oak barrels. This aging supports the wine’s structure without trying to mask the fruit or the grape’s relief. The 2024 vintage seems to offer a balance between ripe black fruits, spices, garrigue, and freshness, in a style both generous and serious. Le Pigeonnier 2024 thus shows how Carignan can become elegant, precise, and deeply expressive when carried by demanding winemaking work.
On tasting, La Terrasse d’Élise Le Pigeonnier 2024 shows a deep, bright red robe with dark reflections. The nose may evoke blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, plum, licorice, sweet spices, garrigue, and a touch of pepper. On the palate, the wine is dense but very silky, with fine tannins and a freshness that lengthens the body. Carignan brings a slightly tangy energy, a spicy framework, and a savory finish without harshness. The whole remains generous, precise, and balanced, with a beautiful persistence on black fruits, Mediterranean herbs, and spices. This red will ideally accompany a grilled rib steak, a confit lamb shoulder, spiced duck, a Languedoc stew, roasted vegetables, or Mediterranean herb cuisine. It can be enjoyed after aeration in its youth but also has the necessary structure to evolve for a few years in the cellar.
Grape variety: 100% Carignan
