La Bancale Fleuve Blanc

A blend of Macabeu and Grenache blanc from old bush vines in the foothills of the Pyrenees, which are grown in the most challenging climactic and geological conditions. The grapes are hand-harvested and fermented on natural yeasts, before being transferred into old 228 and 600 litre oak barrels, where they are allowed to undergo malolactic conversion naturally. The oak and the malo lend a beautiful honeyed nose to the wine, with lots of exotic fruit, pear, pineapple and roasted almond flavours. There's a slight smoky oakiness on the palate as well, and the more medium-bodied aspect from the malo is balanced perfectly with the naturally high acidity and saline minerality that comes from the elevation of the vineyard. The finished product is a concentrated, pure and unique white, made with love and care and at a steal of a price! 

 

Bastien and Céline met when they were teenagers, and moved to the Languedoc at the age of twenty to study and work in agriculture. Bastien studied viticulture in Montpellier and both worked in Domaines throughout Languedoc and Roussillon, leading to them developing a passion for native varieties and the old bush vine vineyards of the south of France. Impressed by the incredibly complex terroirs and cooler climate of Fenouillèdes - a tiny mountain range forming an extension of the Pyrenees - Bastien and Céline saw an ideal location to make balanced, terroir-expressive wines from indigenous grape varieties. They farm organically and are currently in the process of gaining certification, and use minimal additives in the cellar.