Selected, blended, aged and bottled in France by Sélections Chartier Inc. at the Mezy family’s Clos des Augustins, Pic Saint-Loup, Saint-Mathieu-de-Tréviers, France.
In line with the new 2017 Rosé Chartier, the 2016 vintage of this Languedoc white wine reflects more than ever the maturity of François Chartier’s work – both in the vineyard and in the cellar –, supported by his accomplices (the Mezy family of Clos des Augustins) and oenologist Pascal Chatonnet.
With its new label, which reflects the importance of terroir for François Chartier, this new white wine follows the 2015 vintage, featuring a high proportion of Chardonnay (80 %), the use of the rich and enveloping Roussanne (5 %) and the Viognier grape variety (15 %), which is usually so aromatic and textured, but downplayed in this case.
“As in the past for this wine, I made this new vintage at Clos des Augustins, an organic (biodynamic) estate located in the Pic Saint-Loup appellation. Its higher proportion of Chardonnay of noble origins (a terroir similar to Chablis) and the presence of Viognier give this 2016 vintage an intense aromatic richness and a rather rich body, as was also the case with the 2015 vintage, but with a more vibrant freshness that gives it more vitality.”
Peach, honey, coconut and white flower contribute to the aromatic profile.
Textured and generous, while remaining fragrant and penetrating, the 2016 white stands out with a long finish that conveys the minerality brought by the limestone found in the different terroirs of this exceptional estate.
More than ever, it is a great white wine for gastronomy which, because of its affordable price, represents one of the best value-for-money for a white wine from the South of France.
Origin/terroir/elaboration
It comes mainly from the AOC Pic Saint-Loup.
Soils: Chardonnay on marly limestone (mineralized and fossilized), white Grenache
(45-year-old vines), Roussanne on conglomerates and Viognier on calcareous limestone. The Mézy family’s Clos des Augustins estate uses organic (biodynamic) agricultural methods. The Chardonnay, Roussanne and Viognier were vinified in large casks on fine lees, and the Grenache Blanc (45-year-old vines at least) was vinified in barrels, on lees, for six months.
Complementary foods
Pair this dry white wine with your favourite recipes, including one or more of these ingredients: lobster, crab, salmon, trout, pork, chicken, apricot, peach, honey, coconut, Camembert and Brie cheeses, brown rice, pecan, maple syrup, pineapple, yellow apple, butter, caramelized onion, curry, and many others.
You will love it with pork tenderloin and a fruity sauce (apricot/peach) or served with a plate of soft cheeses with flowery rinds and a few toasted pecans.
REVIEWS
Alain Lebel, Bacchus Magazine – 88 points and “a favorite” – (Le Blanc 2014 Pays d’Oc IGP, Chartier, France) “We are thus entitled to a more accomplished and precise white wine that offers us an olfactory trail which could not be more inviting. Very expressive, the wine develops an aromatic weave evoking coconut, peach, honey and apricot. Beautiful fullness in the mouth, amplitude, richness and a superb freshness brought by the acidity, with an interesting mineral touch.”
Bill Zacharkiw, ChacunSonVin.com website – 89 points – (Le Blanc 2014 Pays d’Oc IGP, Chartier, France) “That’s pretty good. Plays along melon and apple notes. Rich texture with a spicy, leesy finish that doesn’t get sticky. Has admirable length as well. Authentic and interesting.”
Nadia Fournier, ChacunSonVin.com website – 89 points – (Le Blanc 2014 Pays d’Oc IGP, Chartier, France) “A pretty texture, fat, a fine bitterness that highlights the taste of white fruits and a mineral structure that contributes to its thirst-quenching character. Good length for the price.”
Marc Chapleau, website ChacunSonVin.com – 88 points – (Le Blanc 2014 Pays d’Oc IGP, Chartier, France) “Very good white Languedoc, quite full-bodied, quite dry too, not very aromatic, really not fussy (…)”