Laura our brand ambassador grabbed the opportunity to visit our Dutch friends in the Netherlands for a couple of days last week. Despite having a relationship with our importer there for over 30 years, and many long-standing and loyal customers, we believe that it's important to continuously re-engage with news and updates and any particular stories about the latest vintage.
2024 harvest mirrors previous years in that the weather ever year gets less predictable, with unusual weather events happening at unlikely times of the year, for example the drought of winter 2023/24 and heavy rainfall in spring 2024. It gives us the opportunity to share how this might affect a particular vintage and the impact on quantity. The masterclass environment gives us a platform to share the story behind the label, whether it's a particular style of wine, grape variety or blend, or a notable factor in the terroir or environment of a vineyard, like altitude, limestone soils or windy conditions. Finally, the influence of the direct Laurent Miquel effect also adds soul to our wines, like north to south planting (protecting against strong sun), earlier picking for red wines and our harvesting by night philosophy for freshness.
The Côte range is relatively new in our European markets and represents Laurent's new direction in many ways. With earlier picking time for the red, and a more discreet oak presence on the whites, the wines focus on aromatic expression and freshness, with elegance above all. Named for the average altitude of the vineyard parcels of the vines, with modern labels, these wines are an expression of the next generation at Laurent Miquel.
The red, Côte 136 Pech Cézarine, is a modern red and a departure from the more traditional spicy, earthier Languedoc style. It's sleek and silky, with bright, ripe black fruits. With only 20% of the wine aged in barrel, it's fruit-forward and structured, with a delicious aromatic profile.
Côte 128 Pech Sévignac Viognier is partly (25%) aged for a few months in 2nd use La Verité oak barrels, sourced from acooper in Mercurey, Burgundy., with whom we have a long relationship. 2022 shows wonderful freshness and touch of exotic spices and the energy of this wine was very exciting.
Côte 228 Pech Clamensou Chardonnay was a particular hit with clients - 20% aged in new oak barrels, adding a creamy structure, the high-altitude fruit from Domaine Auzines adds a seam of freshness that brings great finesse to the wine.
As Christmas approaches, the Lieux-dit wines offer an opportunity to really treat ourselves and Bardou St-Chinian 2020 and La Vérité Viognier 2022 were showing spectacularly well last week. One customer of Laurent Miquel had a 2009 Larmes des Fées Syrah on the shelf and he generously opened it so we could see how it had progresses. To our delight, the wine was wonderful, drinking perfectly and absolutely ready for the dark evenings, long conversations and some downtime over shared meals in the coming weeks...
We'll share some food pairing ideas for the Christmas season in the next blog.
Until then, Santé!
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