Domaine de L'Oustal Blanc Giocoso 2012

Soils developed from marl, gravelly marl on hard limestone, sometimes covered with shale. The parcels are located in the Minervois and Minervois La Liviniere areas. Fat, brilliant wine with elegant tannins. The well-integrated wooden taste structures the whole wine and ensures a smooth taste.

Claude and Isabel Fonquerle, began farming Minervois La Liviniere in 2002, in partnership with oenologist Philippe Cambie of Cha?teauneuf-du-Pape. Nearly all of their vines are old and head pruned. Fruit is rigorously selected at picking, chilled overnight, and then sorted twice more by bunch and berry before crushing. Fermentative skin contact can run for one or two months! "While Chateauneuf remains the source of my orientation," says Claude, "Burgundy is my inspiration. The purity of fruit and the minerality in those wines is something magical. Think of Henri Jayer!" It is no exaggeration to say that this team has already redefined the potential of Minervois, and bottled what are almost certainly the finest and most exciting wines ever grown in that appellation.