Domaine de l’Ancienne Cure has been awarded many prizes and distinctions for its fine wines (guaranteeing a high standard).


Bettane and Desseauve Wine Guide 2003
Christian Roche, a disciplined viticulturist and a precise wine-maker, produces the full range of Bergerac wines, each as good as the last. His reds begin with a fruity, well-balanced Bergerac and finish with the Cuvée «Extase» which juggles its period in new oak barrels with great agility. His dry whites have all the unctuousness of excellent wines but a judiciously frugal touch puts them in a class apart - especially the astounding Cuvée Abbaye. The high proportion of Muscadelle grapes in this wine are to thank for its splendid honey bouquet. From now on its fullness and balance should be the yardstick by which other wines of the appellation are judged. A star is near.
The wines : the 1999 and 2000 oak-aged cuvées can all be as highly recommended and ought to figure on the wine lists of all good restaurants in the south-west of France.
Noted : 9 An exceptional wine : Bergerac Red Extase 2000


Cusine et Vins October 2002
«Coup de Cœur» : Bergerac Dry 2001, very quaffable ? Perhaps. In any case, this Sauvignon and Sémillon white wine is huge, plump and full in the mouth and possesses a beautifully fresh bouquet. It is proof of Bergerac’s ability to still come up with a good dry white at an affordable price. It is ready to be drunk - with turbot - without waiting a moment longer. Christian Roche has also produced - with the hands of an expert - a superb Monbazillac 1998 Cuvée Abbaye which spent two years in new oak barrels. This sweet white can be laid down for ten years to re-emerge as a great ‘liquoreux’ wine. For those too impatient to wait it can be opened today and drunk with foie gras.


Dussert-Gerber Wine Guide 2003
The oak-aged Monbazillac 1999 Cuvée Abbaye, scented (lemon and apricot)and unctuous is an unqualified success. Highly promising.
The Pécharmant 2000 has a full, rich palate with hints of liquorice and violets.
The Dry White Bergerac 2001 is an absolute charmer.


Le Bottin Gourmand 2002 / 2003
Monbazillac Cuvée Abbaye « made with partially raisined and botrytis-affected grapes, this wine is unarguably a yardstick by which to measure Monbazillac wines. Christian Roche regularly produces selective, elegant wines from the 15ha of vines devoted to rich, sweet, ‘liquoreux’ wines out of his 35ha property (which also produces red and dry white wines).



Que Choisir December 2002
Subject : Sweet ‘Liquoreux’ Wines : Monbazillac Cuvée Abbaye 1999 : 15.5/20
The subtle, delicate nose announces a perfectly made wine. Elegant and fresh on the palate, it finishes on a beautiful note of roasted citrus fruits - the trademark of Botrytis cinerea. A yardstick.