Score : 87/100
This wine was selected by Francois Chartier who received the Best Sommelier in the World Grand Prix Sopexa in 1994.
It was assembled and aged by Sélections Chartier Inc., bottled at Clos des Augustins, Saint Mathieu de Tréviers village in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France.
Origin
Le Blanc originates mostly from the AOC Pic Saint-Loup, but some of it originates from bordering areas that are not AOC designated area.
Grape Vaieties
Blend of:
- 60% Chardonnay
- 20% Grenache Blanc
- 15% Roussanne
- 5% Viognier
Terroir
Soils by grape variety:
- Grenache blanc and Roussanne grows over conglomerates
- Chardonnay over marly limestone
- Viognier over clay limestone.
The Clos des Augustins domain of the Mézy family is managed according to the principles of biodynamics.
Winemaking
The Chardonnay, Roussanne and Viognier were vinified in barrels over fine lees, while the grenache blanc from very old (45+ years old) vines was vinified in wine casks over lees for 6 months.
Tasting Notes
This white wine from Languedoc comes in a bright lemon-yellow color of medium intensity, looking nice and youthful.
The aromas are somehow restrained as I smell it, suggesting it would be better to open a little prior to tasting and/or aerate to let it open up.
Delicate floral aromas of honeysuckle and blossom, fruity fresh apricot, and a touch of tropical with fresh pineapple and a hint of passion fruit.
Yes, it does open up fairly quickly to reveal a wealth of fresh fruity characters: a basket of luscious fruits it smells like!
On the palate, the wine is rather coating with a nice oily texture, some might say a little sticky.
Solid acidity underlines the heap of fresh citrus fruit flavors, and freshens up the stonefruit ones (white peach and slightly green apricot).
The finish reveals some astringency from some slightly green phenolics that also give a salivating bitterness that could be polarizing.
Overall
A very well made white wine filled with clean, pure, and enjoyable primary fruit characters for a very satisfying and refreshing quaffing experience. The aromatic complexity, solid oily body, and the long finish add depth to the tasting.
Some will absolutely love for its salivating bitter and saline finish while others might find this particular characteristic in the wine a little heavy.
It’d only be a matter of pairing it with the exact right food to transform it into a remarkable tasting experience, which I’m sure, its maker Sommelier François Chartier would do perfectly.
Enjoy 🙂
Wine & Food Pairing
A wine for warm summer nights, to pair with sea food dishes and delicate entrees.
Please let me know your thoughts