NV Étienne Fort Monsieur S Blanquette de Limoux

WINEMAKER: Étienne Fort
REGION: Languedoc, FR
VARIETY: Mauzac
VITICULTURE: Organic

Blanquette de Limoux is traditionally made from Mauzac, and this particular cuvée is about as classic as it gets—albeit extra clean and fine from this new-generation winemaker. Étienne farms around eight hectares of the family vineyards himself. These are some of the highest in Limoux and are on highly sought-after clay-limestone. Étienne farms organically and makes his wine with no additions—most interestingly without sugar—which leaves them super dry and uber-refreshing. He says he was “born in these vines”, and his experience, instinct and skill results in ripe, clean fruit with the sweetness and purity to carry it through.

100% Mauzac, produced from 30-year-old vines at 400 metres on clay-limestone soils. The juice fermented in stainless-steel tank and spent 12 months on the lees after secondary fermentation. It shows spicy apple and pear, flecks of salty lemon and a lick of toast and grilled almond. There's terrific balance between zip and caressing mousse on the palate, and it finishes with cool drive.