Chardonnay
The vintage
The spring of 2023 was very similar to 2022, with a particularly hot April and very low rainfall in winter and spring. The vines started early and by mid-May they were already showing signs of water stress impacting vegetative growth. At the beginning of August, the vineyard was at mid-veraison and water stress was increasing, with Chardonnay and Grenache showing a better resistance. The second half of August was scorching, but 15 mm of rain enabled the harvest to start on August 25th. Another 50 mm of rain fell in mid-September, easing the end of the ripening process and giving the vines a chance to breathe after a very difficult year. The harvest went on smoothly.
Location
The estate is nestled in the rugged hills just behind the Mediterranean coastline of Narbonne, in the South of France.
Terroir
The soils are very shallow and rocky on the slopes, and deeper and sandy on the plain. Yields are voluntarily kept very low in order to preserve the vines and ensure the production of high quality grapes. This Chardonnay comes form the coolest plots of Val de l'Ours and selected neighbouring terroirs, in order to obtain a wine with distinctive freshness.
Winemaking
Grapes are harvested before daylight when temperatures are at their lowest. After a few hours of cold maceration, they are pressed and fermented at low temperature in stainless steel tanks to preserve their aromatic potential. The wine is partly aged on lees in order to obtain a good balance between roundness and freshness.
Grapes
Tasting
Bright, limpid color with pale yellow highlights.
The nose is summery, expressive and complex.
On the palate, the attack is lively revealing notes of yellow-fleshed fruit and exotic fruit. The finish is fresh with aromas of aniseed, enhanced by subtle hints of vanilla, giving this wine elegance and immediate pleasure.
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