Visiting L'Oustal Blanc

I visited the domaine with my father and we were shown around the winery by the owner Claude Fonquerle. Claude told us that he is keen on the local grape varieties, which are Grenache Noir, Cinsault, Carignane and Grenache Gris. Syrah has been brought in later, even though now it is a compulsory part of Minervois AOC wines. Consequently, Claude makes several cuvées that are labeled as Vin de Table, such as K (made of Carignane), red Naïck (made from 70% Cinsault, 30% Carignane) and white Naïck (Grenache Gris). With all his wines he is very meticulous, making sure that only the grape goes into the pressing vat, no stems or any rubbish is allowed, meaning that his wines are very labour intensive. The grapes are picked at night by hand and sorted by hand. The press was an old fashioned press, coming down vertically to crush the grapes. Each variety is vinified separately and often unoaked wine is blended with oaked wine (new or old barrels, depending on the cuvée). Claude has 12 hectares of vineyards, which he says is close to the maximum for such meticulous hand work.

• 2009 L'Oustal Blanc (Isabel et Claude Fonquerle) Naïck White

  France, Vin de Table Français

  Tasted at the winery. 100% Grenache Gris. A very interesting nose, rather pungent, flinty, with a bit of apricot coming out after some airtime. The palate was really smooth, little acidity, but this did not matter at all, very tasty, a bit sweet, rather unique and very good.

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• 2010 L'Oustal Blanc (Isabel et Claude Fonquerle) Vin de France K

  France, Vin de France

  Tasted at the winery. 100% Carignane. An easy wine, served slightly chilled, cherry, fruity, good acidity, a bit of grapefruit on the nose, lots of tannins. Sees no oak, bottled at 6 months, meant for early drinking.

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• 2008 L'Oustal Blanc (Isabel et Claude Fonquerle) Naïck Red

  France, Vin de Table Français

  Tasted at the winery. This is a fascinating cuvée made of 70% Cinsault (no oak) and 30% Carignane (in oak). It was meaty with dark fruits, some tannins and a very elegant feel to it. Very nice!

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• 2008 L'Oustal Blanc (Isabel et Claude Fonquerle) Minervois Giocoso

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Minervois

  Tasted at the winery. 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah (only the Syrah in oak). Enticing nose of meat, lavender, dark fruits, very velvety mouthfeel, lots of minerals, delicious!

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• 2008 L'Oustal Blanc (Isabel et Claude Fonquerle) Minervois-La Livinière Prima Donna

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Minervois-La Livinière

  Tasted at the winery. 60% Grenache, 40% Syrah, the Syrah is in oak. Beautiful floral notes, blackberries, really elegant aromas, velvety on the palate with beautiful fruit. I really liked this!

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The wines were very good, and I can't wait to try them with food. Most seemed like they could age for a good period of time, so I will try to keep them for some years to see how they change. To top off the visit, Claude gave a bottle of the Maestoso cuvée to us, can't wait to try it. A very enjoyable visit!