2019
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Gabian, north of Pézenas
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Dry white - medium-full bodied, part oak-aged |
80% Roussanne, 20% Marsanne |
14.0%
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Chicken, fish with rich sauces, veal, mushrooms
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As good
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Now to 2025 and beyond
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80% Roussanne and 20% Marsanne. The Roussanne is fermented traditionally, whilst the Marsanne is fermented like a red wine, on its skins for an extended period, resulting in what is known as an "orange wine”. This adds not only extra depth to the hue of the wine - in this case, really quite markedly "orange" - but also an extra dimension to the aromas and flavours. With intense aromas of honeysuckle, white plum, peach, apricot, wild herbs and fennel, it really does show huge complexity. On the palate, it is similarly intense, with a rich and gently oily texture, but there is also an underlying freshness, with all of those ripe white tree fruit flavours combining with grape tannins (courtesy of the long maceration) and ample tangy acidity, together with a certain spiciness and a genuine lick of saline minerality on a really long finish. Although a delight to sip and ponder over, this certainly isn't a glugger - it is a powerful (and seriously good) wine, which demands food. I would suggest white meat or fish dishes with a sauce, veal cooked in red wine, mushroom dishes or a selection of soft cheeses. A fabulous example of how good Languedoc white wine can be. Biodynamic. |
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