Country: France  Region: Languedoc  Vintage: 2015   Category: White Wine  Color:  White Producer: Domaine La Croix Gratiot "Owned by brothers Yves and Hugues Ricome for over 30 years, Domaine La Croix Gratiot covers 30 hectares in Montagnac in the Coteaux du Languedoc. After years of selling to the local co-operative, Yves started bottling his own wine in 2005. His daughter Anaïs has now taken charge, after working for some time in New Zealand with Matt Thomson. She makes wonderfully pure, unoaked wines that reflect the potential of the local varieties with which she works. Since 1996, the vineyard has been restructured and planted with the varieties best suited to the soil composition and microclimate. The Picpoul grapes are grown on a chalky plateau, where cool maritime breezes from the sea help to moderate the climate and provide the ideal conditions for the development of the variety's aromatic compounds and lively acidity. It is unusual to find a 100% Roussanne from this area, yet Anaïs' example, sourced from a 1.3 hectare vineyard, really shows the potential of the variety. Anaïs ages the Roussanne for three months on its fine lees, to add richness and depth of flavour to its characteristic lemon and herbal aromas. The Pinot Noir is aromatic and elegant with floral notes of rose and violet, red cherries and a hint of spice." Product Features:  Sustainable;Vegetarian Product Allergens: Eggs or Derived Products Label;Sulphites Label Winemaker: Anaïs Ricome Vineyards: The Roussanne grapes for this wine grow close to the commune of Montagnac on a chalky plateau in the Côteaux du Languedoc. The eight year old Roussanne vineyard is 1.3 hectares and faces north - south. Yields are 60 hectolitres per hectare and the vines are cordon trained. Vinification: The grapes were night harvested to keep them cool before fermentation thereby protecting their delicate aromas. The grapes were pressed immediately on arrival at the winery and then cold settled for 24 hours at 8°C. The solids were returned to the must which was fermented at 14ºC for 10 days. The wine aged on its lees in stainless steel tanks until bottling. It was unoaked and bottled early under Stelvin to maximise freshness and capture the elusive Roussanne perfumes. Tasting Notes: A bright yellow wine with ripe stone fruit aromas, a hint of jasmine on the nose followed by a juicy lemon and pear-scented palate. A dry, medium to full-bodied Roussanne with plenty of apple and stone fruit and a lingering lemon sherbet finish. Food Suggestion: It is worth buying some really top-notch white fish such as a halibut steak or shellfish to partner this remarkably good value white. Closure: Stelvin  ABV:13%