The 2017 vintage was very difficult with frost and a spring heat wave followed by a dry summer.  As a result, the harvest arrived two weeks ahead of the average with quantities falling to the lowest yields of the last fifteen years.  The quality however, was spectacular.

The grapes came into the winery very early in the morning.  The Syrah macerated in concrete tanks for 5 weeks and the Grenache and Mourvedre macerated in concrete tanks for 3 1/2 weeks.  Vinification also occurred in concrete tanks.  25% of the Syrah was aged in 228 liter medium toast barrels from the oak forests of Burgundy.

60% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre

Emblematic terroirs of the Languedoc, the Pic St. Loup is known for its deep limestone soil (7 meters) dated from 130 millions old.  South exposure, protected on the north side by a ridge, the terroirs of Chateau Lavabre has a shape of a circus opening on the south side.  With 1100 mm of rain per year, the terroir can support a heat wave.