CORBIÈRES BLANC 2023
Appellation: AOP Corbières
Grape Varieties: 58% Macabeu, 19% Grenache blanc, 10% Grenache gris, 7% Roussanne, 6% Rolle.
Terroir: Trias and Jurassic clay-limestone soils of great mineralogical diversity
Yield: 30 hl / ha
Alcohol: 13.0%
Winemaking: Sequential pressing in whole clusters. Cold soaking for 2 days. Fermentation in native yeasts. Regular but light lees stirring throughout the alcoholic fermentation. Natural malolactic fermentation according to the vintage and pH of each barrel.
Aging: 28 barrels of 228L from the Burgundian barrels Chassin and Damy mainly, 10% of new wood.
Notes: 95 pts (2021 - Matthew Stubbs MW, for Tim Atkin MW regional report) An extraordinary wine from Gaëlle and Florian Richter at their estate above Fontjoncouse in the Corbières. Sourced from 3 different parcels on a veritable cacophony of soils, triassic limestone, with lots of quartz and some volcanic. Beautiful attack of lemon peel, grapefruit and green olive, a subtle cloak of toast from 8 months in barrel and a very long and seamless finish. Incredible poise and balance with so much freshness. 2023-2027
CLÉS EN MAIN 2023
Appellation: Vin de France
Grape Variety: 58% Grenache noir, 28% Cinsault, 16% Piquepoul noir
Terroir: Plateau at 300m altitude exposed North-East Very windy valley exposed West. Tertiary soils of limestone clay pebbles Shale marls.
Yield: 25 hl / ha
Alcohol: 13.5%
Winemaking: Cold pre-fermentary maceration. Fermentation with native yeasts. Maceration in whole clusters, including some stems, limited extraction with few « remontages ».
Aging: 8 months in stainless steel vats to preserve fresh and fruity aromas.
Notes: The Mediterranean climate giving advanced maturity profiles, it is counterbalanced by altitude, North/East exposure and cool nights sloweing down maturation. Strong winds also help maximize this freshness, help fight against fungal diseases.
2023 was an exceptional vintage where rain was not rare, giving to the wines more balance between concentration and structure. Acidity is preserved by severely pruning the grapes, to produce great wines designed for aging.