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A biodynamic Languedoc wine where old vines, red soils, and Rhône grapes meet
Some wines are defined by their generosity. Others by their elegance.
The “Cebenna” 2024 from Domaine Les Éminades, from the Saint-Chinian appellation, is a wine that beautifully combines both. A deep, expressive southern French red, shaped by the Mediterranean climate, red sandstone soils, and a philosophy focused on respecting nature.
It is a wine that tells the story of its landscape: warm, wild, and full of character.
Saint-Chinian – one of the great Languedoc terroirs
Located in the northern part of the Languedoc, between the Mediterranean and the foothills of the Massif Central, Saint-Chinian is an appellation with a remarkable variety of landscapes.
The region is known for its diversity of soils, from limestone to schist and sandstone, each bringing a different personality to the wines.
For Cebenna, the vines grow on red sandstone soils (grès rouges), at an average altitude of around 230 metres. These soils, combined with the elevation, create a fascinating balance: enough warmth for ripe fruit, but enough freshness to give the wine energy and elegance.
Domaine Les Éminades – a living vineyard philosophy
Created in 2002, Domaine Les Éminades has built its identity around a respectful approach to the vineyard.
The estate is certified organic and biodynamic, working with the idea that great wines start with healthy, living soils.
No herbicides are used. The vines are carefully worked, with traditional pruning methods and manual harvesting. The grapes are picked by hand in small crates and rigorously sorted before entering the cellar.
This attention to detail is essential, especially when working with low yields and old vines: every grape matters.
A southern Rhône-inspired blend
Cebenna is a classic southern French blend:
- 70% Grenache
- 25% Syrah
- 5% Mourvèdre
Grenache is the heart of the wine, bringing generosity, ripe fruit, and Mediterranean warmth. A portion of the Grenache is kept in whole bunches, adding freshness, complexity, and a more vibrant structure.
Syrah contributes colour, spice, and depth, while Mourvèdre adds complexity and a touch of wild character.
Together, they create a wine that feels deeply rooted in the Languedoc landscape.
Concrete ageing – letting the fruit speak
Like other wines from Les Éminades, Cebenna is not built around oak influence.
After traditional fermentation with indigenous yeasts, partial destemming, and gentle extraction, the wine is aged for 10 months on lees in concrete vats.
Concrete is a fascinating vessel because it allows the wine to evolve without adding external flavours.
Unlike oak, it does not bring vanilla, toast, or spice. Instead, it preserves the purity of the fruit while allowing a slow and natural development.
The result is a wine where the vineyard remains at the centre.
In the glass – Mediterranean depth and freshness
The 2024 vintage reveals the typical personality of Cebenna.
The nose opens with ripe red and dark fruits, Mediterranean herbs, and subtle spicy notes. There is a natural warmth, but also a freshness that keeps the wine balanced.
On the palate, the wine is generous and textured, with smooth tannins and a beautiful combination of fruit, spice, and earthy complexity.
The whole-bunch Grenache brings a vibrant touch, preventing the wine from feeling heavy and adding extra energy to the finish.
A wine with patience
Cebenna is already enjoyable, but it is also a wine with ageing potential.
With careful storage, it can evolve beautifully over the next several years, gaining more complexity and developing deeper aromas.
Its recommended serving temperature around 17°C allows the wine to show its full personality — expressive, balanced, and elegant.
A true expression of biodynamic Languedoc
Cebenna is a wonderful example of what makes modern Languedoc wines so exciting.
It respects tradition — native grapes, hand harvesting, natural fermentation — while embracing a thoughtful approach to farming and winemaking.
A wine shaped by red soils, Mediterranean sunshine, and a commitment to letting nature speak.
Les Éminades Cebenna 2024 is Saint-Chinian with character: generous, authentic, and beautifully alive.
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