Domaine La Croix Gratiot, Picpoul de Pinet 2022
Domaine La Croix Gratiot, Picpoul de Pinet 2022
A 2022 Picpoul de Pinet from Domaine La Croix Gratiot, Languedoc, Southern France.
ABV 12% Contains sulfites.
Drink this at 11°C and between now and 2025.
Close to Mèze, on a chalky plateau near the sea, Picpoul grapes benefit from cool maritime breezes that moderate the climate. Despite the very hot summer, by harvest the Picpoul grapes displayed a beautiful aromatic freshness and pronounced flavours. Harvested at night, the grapes maintain freshness. Fermented in stainless steel tanks, the wine retains its precious stone fruit character without oxidation. A cool fermentation and three months resting on fine lees contribute to a superb wine that the the Times newspaper described as “one of the finest Picpouls”. This bottle has extra depth and nuance that a supermarket £12 bottle cannot match!
Anaïs Ricome with her father Yves lead the winemaking at Domaine La Croix Gratiot. After years of selling to the local co-operative, Yves bottled his own wine from 2005. Anaïs, who worked with Matt Thomson in New Zealand, brings a fresh perspective to crafting unoaked wines that are first-class examples of local varieties.
This Picpoul is a perfect match for shellfish, particularly oysters. Its citrusy aromas, combined with a well-balanced flavour and silky mouthfeel are great for seafood and salads.
Picpoul Blanc’s grapes are unusual; they grow by the sea on light slopes by a lagoon. It’s a fresh and structured wine with light green or golden yellow hue. Initially subtle, it releases acacia and citrus aromas with a distinct iodine touch.
Languedoc is very varied in soil and climate. Stretching from the Mediterranean to the Pyrenees, it produces a wide array of wines, from robust reds to crisp whites. Carignan, often overlooked elsewhere, thrives. Grenache also flourishes, adapting to the climate. Rhone varieties like Syrah, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre, along with whites such as Roussanne, Picpoul Blanc, Clairette, and Rolle, are prevalent here.
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