2021
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Jurançon - south-west of Pau, in deepest SW France
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| Dry white, aged in vat, no added sulphites |
| Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng |
14.0%
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Aperitif, hard cheeses, lemon chicken, risotto, salmon
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Even better
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Now, or to 2025
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As the name "Vin Libre" suggests, this wine is made without the addition of sulphites (SO2) - either during the wine-making process or at bottling - with just the addition of carbon dioxide (CO2) at the point of bottling. The grapes are directly pressed, followed by a long fermentation at low temperature. The resulting wine is then aged on its fine lees in stainless steel vats for 6 months, prior to bottling (without filtration) in the spring. The colour is a bright medium-deep straw/gold with green glints, leading to a watery rim. The nose offers myriad fresh citrus and tree fruit aromas, with herby and spicy nuances and even a hint of leather and smoke. The palate is at first steely dry and zesty, but soon reveals a touch of oily richness, with additional flavours of apple pie, lime oil and canteloupe melon - and (it almost goes without saying) more earthy, slatey, gently saline minerality than you can shake a stick at. A worthy addition to Domaine de Montesquiou's wonderful portfolio of wines. Biodynamic. |
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