Sant Lluc del Puig IGP d'Oc 2009   

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About

A big step up from Cuvee Club in terms of complexity, this is Georges' Macabeu as pure as can be with just a little Grenache to balance the power and weight of the Macabeu.  It's savoury, almost salty and very broad.

Tasting notes

Powerful, savoury aromas of sea salt, herbs, wet stones, apple, apricot and peach all clamour for attention on the nose.  While the palate is solid, refreshing and has a terrific mineral bite.

Vintage Notes

2009 was yet again a dry year in the Roussillon so the wines are as concentrated as always.  The winter was cold and with almost no rainfall.  The summer was hot but, as in the Rhone, the nights were particularly cool and this has given a cool and fresh character to all the wines.

Grapes

Macabeu 75%, Grenache Blanc and Grenache Gris

Vine age

60 year old vines

Vineyards

On limestone clay with stony topsoil and schist subsoil, at 150-200m altitude, on gentle slopes facing north and south, near the village of Passa and the lieu-dit Sant Lluc, in the Aspres region of the Roussillon; these vineyards, in particular the limestone and the schist subsoil, give minerality and freshness despite the hot, dry Mediterranean climate

Yield

20 hl/ha

Harvest

Harvested in late August

Winemaking

Georges' winemaking is very natural and minimal; this is mainly out of necessity but minimal interference also allows the quality of his soils and old vines show through: the grapes were pressed direct, roughly settled at 6ºC, fermented in concrete tanks at 16-20ºC for 3 weeks, using only wild yeasts.

Maturation

6 months in concrete tank

Bottling

Lightly filtered and fined; March 2010; 3,600 bottles (300 cases)