Philosophy

Cédric Flaction knows what he wants and where he's going. He doesn't beat about the bush when it comes to talking about what guides his work as an oenologist. "I like primitive wines, but that doesn't mean that they lack delicacy" he gladly declares "I'm not looking to produce competition beasts, just wines that represent the vine varieties from which they are made, authentic vintages which are generally rich and robust."

The work carried out at "La Cave des Cailles" "The Stone Cellar" can be summed up in a few lines. Rearing in barrels on sediment and maturing with oxygen are the main priorities. But each vine species is treated according to its individual qualities. There, Cédric Flaction plays with different parameters : the fermenting temperature for example, higher for arvine than for chardonnay; the stabilisation after the alcoholic fermentation, systematic for païen, depends on the year for other types of vine.

When it comes to the red wines, the main subject of thought is connected to the duration of the fermentation in the vats. "I want to obtain wines with plenty of tannin, but silky, full bodied tannin, without aggressiveness." reveals the wine expert. In order to achieve that, he leaves the grapes of certain vine species in the vat for up to 90 days after they have finished fermenting before pressing them in order to extract more flavour.

Another subject of thought : the option of fermenting the wine in barrels. Once again Cédric Flaction knows what he wants. Only some vine species are allowed this kind of treatment. For him, arvine and pinot noir are considered too tender and delicate to be converted into wine in such a way. As for the stronger ones, it is out of the question to spoil them for life with an undesirable wood. "I hate new barrels" states the oenologist who prefers to buy second-hand casks which have already contained a wine.

We have understood : La Cave des Cailles" wines carry Cédric Flaction's signature. The man is very proud. He makes wines that he likes to drink and is not ready to give in to the sirens of fashion. It's all in his honour!