*New* 23 Côteaux du Languedoc AC 2008 Arès Blanc
Domaine Le Conte des Floris

Grape:65% Marsanne, 35% Carignan Blanc (13.5% alc.)

A complex and very original wine, this has a deservedly excellent reputation. It is rich, dense and yet very balanced, offering apricot and peach fruit, nuts, honey, gingerbread and liquorice, with a gently spicy, very long finish. Will appeal to lovers of fine northern Rhône whites. For drinking now to 2013.

Technical Information
Winemaker:	Daniel Le Conte des Floris
Location:	Villages of Caux and Gabian, Hérault
Size of domaine:	7 hectares of which Ares comprises 1ha
Grape:	65% Marsanne and 35% Carignan blanc. Massal selection on old vines for the Carignan blanc. 15 to 60 year old vines. Between 4000 and 5000 vines per hectare on average
Terroir:	Basalt on villafranchien for Marsanne and sandstone-schist-clay for Carignan blanc, 60 mtrs above sea-level. West aspect on 10% slope. Soil depth between 2m and 5m approx.
Viticulture:	Light debudding. Carries out light vendanges en vert. Ploughing once in Spring and twice in Autumn. Hand ploughing under the rows. Uses copper and sulphur against oidium and mildew. No chemical herbicides or pesticides, only organic fertilizers or compost if needed (1 year every 5 years). Harvested by hand. 25 hectos per hectare yield
Vinification:	No destalking. Pressing for 6 to 8 hrs by a screw press, settling of the juice for 36 hrs. Fermentation in barrels from 2 to 5 wines (at 16°C to 20°C) using natural, indigenous yeasts. Alcoholic fermentation for 2 months (up to 9 months if it was blocked). The wine naturally carries out its malolactic fermentation. Aged for 12 months in barrels from 2 to 5 wines medium toast. Very light bâtonnage on fine lees at the beginning. Collage if necessary, generally light filtration (with a plate filter). Only one bottling between January and March. 3500 bottles produced on average
Press:

 

qty (bottles)

exc vat: £12.17