Clos de la Barthassade 'Pur C' Pays d'Hérault IGP 2022

About 45 minutes northwest of Montpellier, in the Languedoc’s Terrasses du Larzac, Clos de la Barthassade owner/winemakers Guillame and Hélène Baron farm a range of terroirs made up of several “islets of vines” in the communes of Montpeyroux, Jonquières and Saint-Saturnin. Both Burgundy trained, the husband and wife team were very purposeful when they established the peculiar composite estate in 2014, poking, prodding and keenly analyzing the soil and situation of each plot to determine which grapes would grow best where. While the grapes they now cultivate (organically and biodynamically!) across their 13-ish hectares are fairly typical of the area—syrah, grenache, cinsault and mourvèdre, plus chenin blanc and roussanne—their production is certainly not: All cellar work done by gravity, with 50-80% whole cluster fermented via native yeasts, sulfur added in tiny amounts and only at bottling, and a mix of concrete eggs, temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks and old barrels used. This wine showcases their meticulous work. Sourced from a 2.3-hectare parcel of cinsault, 85% of the fruit was destemmed, with just gentle extraction and minimal pumpovers and punchdowns, aging eight months in stainless steel tanks and barriques. Silky and vibrant, it opens with a bouquet of cherry blossoms, black currants and five spice that spills into an approachable palate of mixed berries, cherries and red plums. Certified organic, biodynamically grown, low-intervention/natural wine.