For many years the Gastou family sold their grapes to the local co-operative, but came to believe they weren’t doing justice to the exceptionally well-sited old vineyards at their disposal. The domaine is based in the village of Cesseras and holdings are split into three different parcels, of which 50% is Carignan, an exciting 30% Mourvèdre and 20% Grenache.

As one might expect the combination of terroirs and varietals allows the Gastous to maintain a high-quality level and produce a wine of real personality and interest. The Grenache brings fat and richness, the Mourvèdre gorgeous aromatics and the Carignan structure and intensity. There is lots of fruit and warmth yet a nice refreshing crunch runs through the core. La Livernière became the first Cru of Minervois in 1999 and its wonderful 350 hectares sit on a mixture of limestone, pebbles, sand and clay, where alluvial deposit and erosion have patiently carried out their work.

Languedoc-Roussillon, stretching along France’s Mediterranean coast, is one of the country’s largest and most diverse wine regions. Known for its sunshine-rich climate, with hot, dry summers and mild winters, the area is ideal for grape growing. The region benefits from varied soils—limestone, clay, schist, and gravel—contributing complexity and character to its wines.

Traditionally a volume-focused region, Languedoc-Roussillon has undergone a quality revolution in recent decades. Today, it produces expressive, terroir-driven wines across a wide spectrum of styles. Red blends dominate, featuring Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Carignan. These wines are typically full-bodied with ripe black fruit, spice, garrigue (wild herb) notes, and earthy undertones. Whites, made from grapes like Picpoul, Grenache Blanc, and Marsanne, offer fresh acidity and citrus, stone fruit, or floral flavours.

The region is also known for crisp Picpoul de Pinet, aromatic Muscat, and traditional method sparkling wines from Limoux—the latter believed to predate Champagne. Roussillon, with its Catalan influence, excels in fortified sweet wines (vins doux naturels) like Banyuls and Maury, rich with dried fruit, chocolate, and nutty flavours.

Grenache, known as Garnacha in Spain, is one of the world’s most widely planted and versatile red grape varieties. Believed to have originated in Aragon, northeastern Spain, it spread across the Mediterranean and is now integral to many of the world’s great wine regions. It thrives in hot, dry climates and is particularly drought-resistant, with late-ripening characteristics that require long growing seasons.

Viticulturally, Grenache is vigorous and productive, often grown as bush vines to control yield and improve concentration. It prefers well-drained soils like schist, gravel, and sand, contributing to its rich texture and ripeness.

In Spain, Garnacha is prominent in regions such as Priorat, Rioja (often blended), and Aragón, producing wines with ripe red fruit, spice, and earthy notes. In France, Grenache is the backbone of Southern Rhône blends (e.g. Châteauneuf-du-Pape), offering warmth, red berry fruit, and herbal nuances. It is also widely planted in Australia (notably in McLaren Vale), the U.S. (especially California), and South Africa.

Grenache produces a range of styles—from fresh, fruity rosés to powerful reds and fortified wines. Typical flavours include strawberry, raspberry, white pepper, dried herbs, and sometimes leather and liquorice with age. Its soft tannins and plush texture make it both approachable and age-worthy.

Carignan, also known as Mazuelo in Spain and Cariñena in its native Aragon, is a dark-skinned grape variety with a long history in the Mediterranean. Thought to have originated in the Cariñena region of northeastern Spain, it spread widely across southern France, where it became a key blending grape in Languedoc-Roussillon. The vine is vigorous and late-ripening, thriving in warm, dry climates. It is well-suited to poor, stony soils and exhibits a degree of drought resistance, but requires careful vineyard management to control yields and avoid overly rustic tannins.

Today, significant plantings are found in Spain (particularly Rioja, where it is known as Mazuelo), southern France, Sardinia (as Carignano), and parts of North and South America, notably Chile and California. Old-vine Carignan, often dry-farmed, can produce wines of remarkable depth and character.

Traditionally, Carignan was valued for its high acidity, deep colour, and firm tannins, making it ideal in blends with Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. In skilled hands, especially from older vines, varietal bottlings can display flavours of dark cherry, blackberry, plum, and spice, with herbal and earthy notes. Styles range from robust, rustic reds to fresher, more elegant expressions, often marked by vibrant acidity and a savoury, Mediterranean character.

Mourvèdre (Monastrell in Spain; Mataro in Australia and California) is widely thought to originate from eastern Spain, historically linked to Murviedro (Sagunto) and the Valencia/Jumilla heartlands. Heat-loving and late ripening, it thrives in warm, dry climates and on poor, calcareous, well-drained soils. The variety has small, thick-skinned berries and compact bunches, giving deep colour, firm tannins and notable structure.

Viticulturally, Mourvèdre demands a long growing season and sheltered sites; cool, windy flowering can cause coulure, and tight clusters are susceptible to mildew if humidity rises. Canopy management and yield control are essential to avoid rustic tannins, while careful oxygen management in the cellar helps prevent reductive aromas.

Beyond Spain (Jumilla, Yecla, Almansa), Mourvèdre is a Mediterranean stalwart in southern France—key in the southern Rhône (as part of GSM blends) and the Languedoc-Roussillon, and the signature grape of Bandol in Provence, where it makes some of France’s most ageworthy reds and structured rosés. It is also successful in California (Paso Robles, Contra Costa), Australia (McLaren Vale, Barossa), South Africa and Chile.

Stylistically, Mourvèdre ranges from robust varietal reds to blending components that lend colour, tannin and savoury depth. Typical flavours include blackberry, black plum and dark cherry, with notes of violet, black pepper, liquorice, cocoa, cured meat and wild Mediterranean herbs (garrigue). With bottle age it develops leathery, gamey and earthy complexity. Rosés featuring Mourvèdre—especially from Bandol—are dry, textural and gastronomic, offering red berry, orange peel and a subtly spicy, saline finish.