Mas Gabinele – Grenache Gris, Herault – 2018

PRODUCER NOTE:
Thierry Rodriguez, grandson of a winemaker, always dreamt of making his own wines, and in 1997 he bought his first plots of vines in the Faugères appellation. Situated in the foothills of the Cévennes and surrounded by beautiful garrigue, the appellation is renowned for its magnificent schistous soils. Demanding, thorough and a perfectionist, Thierry manages the vineyard with great care and attention. In turn, the vines produce naturally low yields of around 25 hectolitres per hectare, of beautiful, healthy berries that reach optimal maturity – the key to fully expressing the Faugères terroir. Nothing revolutionary here, simply the application of good farming sense and practices that respect the environment; the estate is certified HVE. Mas Gabinèle takes its name after ‘unà gabinelà’ which in Occitan refers to the traditional wine-maker’s hut in the vineyards.

VINTAGE:
2018 saw a rainy and cold winter, with snow on 28th February. This was followed by a cool and very wet spring, which provided challenges in the vineyard ensuring the soils remained healthy. The incessant rain in spring, contributed to yield loss. In contrast, the summer was very hot and dry and the vines then experienced drought conditions. Fortunately, the water soil reserves nourished the parched vines to enable them to reach excellent maturity producing aromatic, concentrated juice.

VINEYARD:
The 23-hectare estate is located in the Faugères appellation in the Languedoc and is situated at 180 metres elevation, overlooking the village of Laurens. Grenache Gris is an ancient and unjustly forgotten variety, which is making a come-back. The old vines on the estate are between 30 and 60 years old, (some date back to 1958), and they produce concentrated, complex flavours from their deep root systems. Double Cordon Royat trained, they are planted in ochre, grey or blue sandstone and schist soils, with a fragile structure and this high quality but demanding terroir naturally produces low yields, of around 25hl/hectare. The Grenache Gris berries are fragile and need constant attention in the vineyard, to ensure they are well ventilated and reach optimal maturity. Although the grapes are grown in the Faugères estate vineyard, this wine is labelled under the Hérault appellation as it is 100% Grenache Gris, and the Faugères appellation requirements stipulate white wines must contain 30% Roussanne.

WINEMAKING:
The grapes were carefully selected, immediately pressed and vinified at controlled temperatures. Fermentation took place with selected yeasts in stainless steel tanks for 90% of the harvest, to retain the purity of fruit. The remaining 10% was barrel-fermented in new French oak, imparting complexity and texture to the wine.

TASTING NOTE:
Delicate aromas of jasmine, cherry blossom and pink pepper lead to a vibrant and refreshing palate of orchard fruits, concluding in delightful mineral tones.

GRAPE:
Grenache Gris 100%.

COUNTRY:
France

REGION:
Languedoc

SUB-REGION:
Herault