DOMAINE JEAN-BAPTISTE SENAT
LANGUEDOC / MINERVOIS
Jean-Baptiste Sénat, the master vintner of Languedoc, crafts some of the finest organic wines in the AOP Minervois region. His cuvées showcase the best of Mediterranean grape varieties, primarily Grenache, Carignan, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault. He is widely recognized as a leader among the elite winemakers of the Aude. Nestled in the picturesque village of Trausse Minervois, just 25km from Carcassonne, the Sénat estate spans 15 hectares at the foot of the majestic Montagne Noire. The vineyard is certified organic by Ecocert and the soil is a harmonious blend of clay limestone and siliceous pebbles of garrigue.
After a career in history and political science and a stint in Paris, JB Sénat yearned for a return to his roots. The strikes of 1995 were the final straw and he left the capital to take over his family's vineyard. With relentless hard work, his first vintage was released in 1996. Through enlightening encounters with great winemakers and the inspired reading of Jules Chauvet, the pioneer of natural wines, JB Sénat developed a clear vision for the wines he wanted to create, and today his wines are the epitome of elegance and finesse. Minimally interventionist, he does not use any synthetic products, practices manual harvesting, uses native yeasts and no inputs. He prunes his vines in goblet and prefers whole harvests. This results in wines with character, fresh, refined, and complex.
Vintner and gifted winemaker, Jean-Baptiste Senat settled in 1996 with his wife Charlotte on the family estate, with the ambition of seriously taking it over. A role model for young winemakers in the region, the Senat couple is part of this fertile and dynamic generation that gives Languedoc its nobility, thanks to wines of gourmet pleasure (Arbalète and Coquelicots or La Nine) and artisanal cuvées (Mais Où Est Donc Ornicar, Le Bois des Merveilles). The Grenaches, grown to achieve small yields, express themselves with finesse. With energetic Mourvèdres, they constitute the fundamentals of the estate. – La Revue du Vin de France.
Owner
Region
Terroirs
Farming
Harvest
Size
Grapes Grown
Website
Vineland Rep.
Charlotte et Jean-Baptiste Senat
Languedoc
Minervois
Organic & Biodynamic (Certified)
Manual
18 hectares
Grenache Blanc & Gris, Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache noir, Syrah, Mourvedre
Domaine jean-baptiste Senat ‘Aux amis de ma sœur’
It's our only white wine. With white fruit aroma and hints of citrus fruits, it's perfect to open a meal, or simply with friends for an aperitif.
Appellation: Aude IGP
Grape varieties: Grenache Blanc 40%, Grenache Gris 40% et Chenin 20%
Age of the vines: 30 for the years Grenaches Gris, 40 years for the Grenaches Blanc.
Terroir: Clay-limestone
Vineyard management: Gobelet
Yield: 30hl/ ha
Fermentation: Pressurage
Winemaking: Cask
Bottling: Bottling at the Domaine in April
Notes: The white wine is expressive, with notes of honeysuckle and quince, the mouth is pure, enveloping with a dynamic finish. In short, it has everything to please!
91
2017
FALSTAFF
91
2019
RVF
Domaine jean-baptiste Senat ‘Hors Champs’
In the same spirit of Arbalète et Coquelicots, Hors Champs has a bit more body. It's a new cuvée since 2015, an autumn cuvée, which will complement friendly meals and grilled meat. Old-vine biodynamic blend of Grenache and Carignan, all done in steel.
Appellation: Minervois AOC
Grape varieties: Cinsault 40%, Grenache 30%, Carignan 30%
Age of the vines: Grenache 30 - 40 years, Cinsault 40 years, Carignan 30 years
Terroir: Clay-Limestone
Vineyard management: Grenache en Gobelet
Yield: 45 hl/ha
Vinification: Whole-cluster maceration
Fermentation: 12 days
Winemaking: Staineless steel tank
Bottling: Bottling at the domain
Notes: Black plum, some brambles and spice with a nice lift of acidity.
Domaine Jean Baptiste Senat ‘Arbalète et Coquelicots’
It's a spring cuvée, fruity and generous. A wine "to bite into with desire without losing the Minervois soul" as Antoine Gerbelle sharply wrote.
Appellation: Minervois AOC
Grape variety: Grenache 75% , Cinsault 15%, Carignan 15%
Age of the vines: Grenache 25 years, CInsault 30 years, Carignan 70 years
Terroir: Clay-limestone
Vineyard management: Gobelet
Yield: 45 hl/ha
Vinification: Whole-cluster maceration
Fermentation: 10 days
Winemaking: Staineless steel tank
Bottling: Bottling at the domaine
Notes: "Arbalète et Coquelicots" is a delicate, floral expression of Grenache in whole bunch harvesting, a subtle and expressive wine with soft tannins.
90
2016
RVF
90
2017
RVF
Domaine Jean Baptiste Senat ‘Amalgame’
It's the new cuvée of our Domaine. It's a blend of grey, white and black Grenache, all planted together in the vines and mixed at the tank... hence "amalgam". A wine of coolness, which is floral and slightly tannic. Is it a pale red or a dark rosé...regardless, it's the perfect companion for a nice day.
Appellation: Aude IGP
Grape variety: Grenache noir 40% Grenache gris 40% Cinsault 20%
Age of the vines: 8 years
Terroir: Clay-limestone
Vineyard management: Gobelet
Yield: 40hl/ha
Vinification: Whole-cluster maceration.
Fermentation: 10 jours
Winemaking: Staineless steel tank.
Bottling: Bottling at the domaine
Notes: "Amalgame" is a light-colored red wine with a floral aroma and the expression of tart red berries.
Domaine Jean Baptiste Senat ‘LA NINE’
La Nine means "The little one", "The sweetheart"... it's an affectionate Occitan way to call a young girl. La Nine is a cuvée we've been doing for 20 years and "she" is close to our heart. It's a classic Languedoc blend with garrigue scents and hints of spice.
Appellation: Minervois AOC
Grape variety: Carignan 50%, Grenache 20%, Cinsault 10%, Syrah 10%, Mourvèdre 10%
Age of the vines: Carignan 100 years, Grenache 60 years, Cinsault 35 years.
Terroir: Clay-Limestone
Vineyard management: Gobelet
Yield: 40 hl/ha
Vinification: Whole-cluster maceration.
Fermentation: 12 days
Winemaking: The vinification process includes whole berry harvesting and maceration, followed by aging for 10 months, with 2/3 in concrete vats and 1/3 in oak barrels.
Bottling: Bottling at the Domain by our care.
Notes: The Nine is just delicious, here subtle notes of garrigue are added to the fruit and a voluptuous but still firm palate. The tannins can still integrate in the next 2 to 3 years. It finishes with a sensation of cranberries.
90
2019
RVF
90
2020
RVF
Domaine Jean Baptiste Senat ‘Ornicar’
The name of this wine originates from an obscure French grammar word play... This cuvée is all about finesse. It's complexe, fruity and mature, round, and lively, all at once.
Appellation: Minervois AOC
Grape varieties: Grenache 80%, Carignan 10%, Mourvèdre 10%
Age of the vines: Grenache 50 years, Carignan 70 years, Mourvèdre 15 years
Terroir: Clay-limestone
Vineyard management: Gobelet
Yield: 40 hl/ha
Vinification: Whole-cluster maceration.
Fermentation: 12 days
Winemaking: Concrete vats.
Bottling: Bottling at the domain
Notes: "Ornicar" stands out for its delicacy, its silky tannins, and its notes of dried rose.
92
2017
RVF
92
2018
RVF
Domaine Jean Baptiste Senat ‘Le Bois des Merveilles’
The name Le Bois des Merveilles (woods of wonder) is inspired by the forest at the edge of our vines in the beautiful Trausse garrigue. Kids call it that way with hope of finding a treasure there. It is though a treasure for us by its very specific soil which creates depth in this cuvée, true finesse, but still remains powerful. An amazing blend for fine wine enthusiast.
Appellation: Minervois AOC
Grape varieties: Grenache 50%, Carignan 50%
Age of the vines: Grenache 60 years, Carignan 100 years and more
Terroir: Silicia
Vineyard management: Gobelet
Yield: 30hl/ha
Vinification: Whole-cluster maceration.
Fermentation: 15 days
Winemaking: Cask during 20 months
Bottling: Bottling at the domain
Notes: The treasure of the estate... and perhaps the best red wine of the Minervois AOP? A unique cuvée from a single plot, both in terms of geology and geography and the age of the vines (Grenache and Carignan). A wine of great depth, that can be aged for many years in a good cellar. – RVF.
The "Bois des Merveilles" is a wine that is spicy, smooth and refined, still showing the influence of aging in oak barrels. It requires patience to fully appreciate.
94
2017
RVF
93
2019
RVF
Domaine Jean Baptiste Senat ‘L'enclos de l'âne’
The donkey's barn. This cuvée is 100% Grenache. We do it from time to time. It's a cuvée of great finesse with hints of black cherry.
Appellation: Minervois AOP
Grape varieties: 100% Grenache
Age of the vines: Grenache 80 years
Terroir: Silicia
Vineyard management: Gobelet
Yield: 25 hl/ha
Vinification: Destemmed and whole-cluster maceration.
Fermentation: 15 days
Winemaking: Cask
Bottling: Bottling at the domain
Notes: It is produced very rarely, only in the very great vintages like 2019. Already magnificent, it will continue to improve for at least 10 years. Great finesse and notes of black cherry, after some air the mouthfeel comes through elegantly, supported by finely grilled notes.
93
2012
RVF
93
2019
RVF