A blend of biodynamically farmed Muscat (50%), Chardonnay (30%) and Macabeu (20%). Fermented spontaneously, aged in tanks on the lees for 8 months, bottled unfined and unfiltered. 12,5% alcohol. Tasted blind.
Moderately intense yellow-green color. Somewhat pungent and slightly gaseous nose with crisp and slightly green-toned aromas of white peach, some waxy funk, a little bit of crunchy green apple and a herbaceous hint of grassy greenness. The wine is dry, fresh and lively on the palate with a light-to-medium body and crisp yet somewhat understated flavors of tart green apple, some grassy tones, a little bit of leesy character, light lemony notes of citrus fruits, a hint of stony minerality and a developed touch of honeyed richness. The high acidity lends great sense of structure and freshness to the wine. The finish is crisp, lively and mouth-cleansing with a medium-long aftertaste of tart green apple, some lemony notes, a little bit of stony minerality and herbal hints of grassy greenness.
A nice, fresh and crisp little white, which surprisingly turned out to be 13-yo Gauby Les Calcinaires. Surprisingly, for two reasons: first, the wine most certainly didn't feel like it was 13 years old - most guesses for the vintage ranged between 2013 and 2016; secondly, Les Calcinaires is 50% Muscat, yet the wine didn't show any obvious Muscat character. I mean, ANY. Even the person who poured the wine commented on how the wine was surprisingly linear and un-aromatic. Nevertheless, the wine's wonderfully crisp and fresh for a Roussillon white and still remarkably youthful, showing barely any signs of age. Perhaps a bit linear and one-dimensional at the moment, but hopefully will start showing some tertiary complexity as it ages - although I have no idea how long it will take...
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honeyed texture, salty-almost bitter, mineral and apples. interesting. drank without refrigeration, length lingers at the back of the throat. like a good muscadet? and some lime on top...
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eye: bright yellow, clear, small sediment in the bottle. nose: ripe apples, mineral, roasted nuts, nutmeg. palate: same of the above, restrained, understated style (particularly true for a Languedoc white), resembles a bit a Meursault Village, good structure and weight, medium body. good (multilayered) acid profile. don't drink this too cold, this requires >12°C to show off, ready to drink, drink now or until 2014. very good effort and interesting terroir.
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Yellow with some golden hues. Nose is very intense, with tropical fruits, yellow flowers, a hint of spice and rose. Intensely mineral in the mouth, with a long, lingering, almost salty finish.
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Very mute. Some minerals, maybe wet stones / stone fruit, a bit of melon? Soft. There's a good concentration to the wine but it's almost completely inexpressive and could use a bit of acidity. Feels like a well-made, but ultimately uninteresting wine. Something of the character of a northern rhone marsanne/rousanne but with much less character. Didn't develop at all after 24 hours. Wouldn't go for it again.
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Excellent stuff. This is almost chablis like with the salty seashells and chalkiness. Excellent balance, understated and elegant. A step above most whites. 90+. Really like this style.
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A lot of money for just eh. Quite disappointing. Had almost a bitter taste. Did not improve during more the two hours of time. We left the last 1/4 of the bottle at the restaurant.
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11/25/2021 - forceberry wrote: 89 Points
A blend of biodynamically farmed Muscat (50%), Chardonnay (30%) and Macabeu (20%). Fermented spontaneously, aged in tanks on the lees for 8 months, bottled unfined and unfiltered. 12,5% alcohol. Tasted blind.
Moderately intense yellow-green color. Somewhat pungent and slightly gaseous nose with crisp and slightly green-toned aromas of white peach, some waxy funk, a little bit of crunchy green apple and a herbaceous hint of grassy greenness. The wine is dry, fresh and lively on the palate with a light-to-medium body and crisp yet somewhat understated flavors of tart green apple, some grassy tones, a little bit of leesy character, light lemony notes of citrus fruits, a hint of stony minerality and a developed touch of honeyed richness. The high acidity lends great sense of structure and freshness to the wine. The finish is crisp, lively and mouth-cleansing with a medium-long aftertaste of tart green apple, some lemony notes, a little bit of stony minerality and herbal hints of grassy greenness.
A nice, fresh and crisp little white, which surprisingly turned out to be 13-yo Gauby Les Calcinaires. Surprisingly, for two reasons: first, the wine most certainly didn't feel like it was 13 years old - most guesses for the vintage ranged between 2013 and 2016; secondly, Les Calcinaires is 50% Muscat, yet the wine didn't show any obvious Muscat character. I mean, ANY. Even the person who poured the wine commented on how the wine was surprisingly linear and un-aromatic. Nevertheless, the wine's wonderfully crisp and fresh for a Roussillon white and still remarkably youthful, showing barely any signs of age. Perhaps a bit linear and one-dimensional at the moment, but hopefully will start showing some tertiary complexity as it ages - although I have no idea how long it will take...
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3/28/2014 - king-bing wrote:
Lovely balance. Lots of interest. Mineral / chalkiness, but some stony fruit too. Mid-weight. Zippy finish. Very enjoyable.
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7/29/2013 - Ludi Likes this wine: 90 Points
Dorato chiaro. Al naso albicocca, miele d’acacia, note fumé, erbe di campo, anice, scorza di cedro, zenzero fresco. Bocca ricca, molto sapida, elegante. Ottima lunghezza
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6/1/2013 - microbox wrote: 90 Points
Again a delight.
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5/5/2013 - ruth3 Likes this wine: 89 Points
honeyed texture, salty-almost bitter, mineral and apples. interesting. drank without refrigeration, length lingers at the back of the throat. like a good muscadet? and some lime on top...
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5/12/2012 - microbox wrote: 89 Points
eye: bright yellow, clear, small sediment in the bottle. nose: ripe apples, mineral, roasted nuts, nutmeg. palate: same of the above, restrained, understated style (particularly true for a Languedoc white), resembles a bit a Meursault Village, good structure and weight, medium body. good (multilayered) acid profile. don't drink this too cold, this requires >12°C to show off, ready to drink, drink now or until 2014. very good effort and interesting terroir.
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11/22/2011 - Ludi Likes this wine: 91 Points
Yellow with some golden hues. Nose is very intense, with tropical fruits, yellow flowers, a hint of spice and rose. Intensely mineral in the mouth, with a long, lingering, almost salty finish.
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8/15/2011 - ccn wrote: 87 Points
Very mute. Some minerals, maybe wet stones / stone fruit, a bit of melon? Soft. There's a good concentration to the wine but it's almost completely inexpressive and could use a bit of acidity. Feels like a well-made, but ultimately uninteresting wine. Something of the character of a northern rhone marsanne/rousanne but with much less character. Didn't develop at all after 24 hours. Wouldn't go for it again.
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7/20/2010 - winegr wrote: 90 Points
Excellent stuff. This is almost chablis like with the salty seashells and chalkiness. Excellent balance, understated and elegant. A step above most whites. 90+. Really like this style.
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5/9/2010 - Santiago wrote: 87 Points
A hit of SO2 on the nose, nice Muscat aromatics underneath. Good acidity and good mouthfeel too. Long and silky with a very rewarding finish.
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4/30/2010 - LoireFan wrote: 87 Points
A lot of money for just eh. Quite disappointing. Had almost a bitter taste. Did not improve during more the two hours of time. We left the last 1/4 of the bottle at the restaurant.
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3/20/2010 - davidny wrote: 90 Points
nose: pineapple, lemon, mint
very nicy 50% muscat, 30% chardonay, 20% maccabeu
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