Carignan Radical 2023 Pèira Levada

Radical 2023

Pure Carignan with no compromise, from Pèira Levada

Radical 2023 is a sharp and direct red wine made exclusively from old-vine Carignan, vinified with the goal of expressing the most vertical and authentic side of this often overlooked grape. The name “Radical” is not just a statement—it reflects a hands-on, no-shortcut philosophy both in the vineyard and in the cellar.

Vineyard Philosophy

The Carignan comes from vines over 60 years old, farmed organically on marl and limestone soils in the higher elevations of the Languedoc. Dry, windy conditions help preserve the health of the grapes, while manual vineyard work and low yields ensure natural balance and ripeness. No irrigation, no herbicides—just honest farming.

Winemaking Approach

Radical is fermented spontaneously, with no temperature control and zero added sulfites. It matures in neutral vessels (fiberglass or stainless steel) to avoid masking the raw personality of Carignan. The wine is unfined and unfiltered, bottled as it is.

Color: Radical 2023 shows a deep, compact ruby red color.
Nose: Aromas of dark fruit, graphite, licorice, and forest floor define the nose.
Palate: On the palate, it’s tense, dry, and nervy, with firm tannins and a vibrant acidity.

Technical Sheet

• Vintage: 2023

• Grape variety: 100% Carignan

• Region: Languedoc, France

• Soils: Marl and limestone

• Vinification: Spontaneous fermentation in neutral tanks

• Aging: Fiberglass or stainless steel, no sulfites, unfiltered, unfined

• Sulfites: None added

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Pèira Levada

Nature, depth, and pure terroir in the heart of Faugères

In the heart of Languedoc, among the hills of Cabrerolles, lies Pèira Levada, a small domaine founded in 2018 by Alexandre Durand, a young winemaker inspired by a simple but radical idea: to give back to the vineyard and the wine their original voice. The name refers to the “lifted stones,” the large rocky outcrops found in the schist soils of the area, symbolizing strength and permanence.

Vineyard Philosophy

Pèira Levada’s vineyards cover about four and a half hectares, divided into small parcels between the towns of Cabrerolles and Laurens, within the Faugères AOC. The soils are a mosaic of schist, marl, and limestone, providing the wines with depth and verticality. The varieties grown are traditional southern grapes: Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan, Mourvèdre.

Alexandre works the land with organic and biodynamic practices (not certified), without tilling or herbicides, allowing spontaneous cover crops to protect and nourish the soils. The vines are carefully tended by hand, following a natural balance principle: no forcing, no irrigation, just respect for the plant’s rhythm. Harvest is manual and selective, done in small boxes to ensure intact grapes arrive at the cellar.

Winery Approach

In the winery, human intervention is minimal. Each cuvée is vinified without chemical additives, without filtration, and with zero added sulfites. Fermentations are spontaneous, driven by native yeasts, taking place in neutral vessels (fiberglass or cement tanks) to preserve the wine’s pure expression.

Grapes are sometimes destemmed, sometimes whole-cluster, depending on the parcel and grape variety. Maceration times vary year by year for each cuvée. Wines rest without unnecessary rackings and are bottled without fining or filtration to keep the fruit’s energy intact.

The Wines of Pèira Levada

Natural wines of tension and depth, children of the schist

Pèira Levada’s wines are intense, vibrant, and sharp. Each label results from a delicate balance between fruit, minerality, and lightness. There are no concessions to fashion or standardization: here, wine is the pure expression of terroir, unmasked and honest.

Emblematic cuvées such as Dynamite, The Velvet Underschiste, and Carignan Radical show a sure and consistent hand that remains faithful to the fruit and landscape. These wines are for those who love character, lively acidity, saline depth, but also a certain tactile delicacy. Wines that don’t shout but linger impressively.