Méditerranée IGP – Château Bois d’Arlène – La Comtesse – white

Description

La Comtesse from Château Bois d’Arlène, classified as IGP Méditerranée, is a bright, fresh and expressive white cuvée, made from a subtle blend of 40% Vermentino, 40% Viognier and 20% Piquepoul. Grown close to the estate’s pond, on a terroir that enjoys generous sunshine and natural soil moisture, this cuvée draws on a unique microclimate that encourages ripeness while preserving tension. The vines, planted in 2015 at a density of 5,000 vines/ha, are trained in single Guyot with high trellising, following a sustainable philosophy with no chemical inputs since 2013: no weedkillers, no pesticides.

The harvest is done by hand, in small crates to keep the berries intact. After careful sorting, the grapes undergo a short skin maceration before being gently pressed in a pneumatic press. The juice is then put into stainless-steel vats for a 3-day maceration on the gross lees, then settled before fermentation, again in stainless-steel vats, to preserve the purity of the fruit and the varietal expression. The wine is aged on fine lees, with regular stirring, for several months. It does not undergo malolactic fermentation, thus retaining a lively natural acidity.

From an organoleptic point of view, La Comtesse charms with a pale colour with crystalline glints and a radiant aromatic expression. The nose opens with elegant floral notes, white fruit and an exotic touch brought by the Viognier. The palate is lively, mineral and balanced, with lovely tension, clean length and almost no residual sugar (less than 1 g/L), offering a dry, finely chiselled style.

Served well chilled, this wine works wonders as an aperitif, or alongside crustaceans, shellfish, ceviches or white fish tartares with exotic fruit. A white of pleasure and precision, to drink young to enjoy its aromatic brightness, though it will continue to refine over the next two years.