Château d’Agel

In eastern Minervois, at the foot of the Montagne Noire, stands the village of Agel and its medieval castle, parts of which date to the twelfth century. The chateau stayed in the Ecal family for over two hundred years.

In the 1960s the Ecal-Besse family restored the building and sold the vineyard to Pierre Fil, who spent years expanding it. The estate changed direction again in 2003 when Robin Budowski, recognising the quality of the sites, took it on.

The Minervois runs along the foothills high enough that nights cool sharply even after a hot day, which is what keeps these reds fresh rather than jammy. Old Carignan, Grenache and Syrah are the mainstay, bottled both as Château d'Agel and, for the lighter cuvees, as Domaine d'Agel.