Montsable L'Esprit de Lieu Reserve Chardonnay 2021

95 POINTS: Sam Kim; The Wine Orbit
94 POINTS: Bob Campbell MW
92 POINTS: Cameron Douglas MW       

Top Rank: #1 French Chardonnay 'Real Review' Jan 24

"Rich, fleshy Chardonnay with ripe peach/tree fruits, vanilla, cashew nut, peppery spice and subtle oak flavours. Appealing wine in a crowd-pleasing style. It has attractive texture and an impressively lingering finish." 

Montsablé Réserve represents the pinnacle of site selection within the Haute Vallée de l’Aude, the coolest of all the Mediterranean regions of France due to altitude and influence of the cool Atlantic wind, the Vent Cers. Altitude, climate and limestone rich soils combine to produce outstanding fruit, with which we create wines of elegance and freshness.

The specific Haute Vallée sites are perfect for Chardonnay due to slower ripening and better levels of acidity. The vines are 20-30 years old and grow on Argilo Calcaires soils. The wine is left on its lees to add complexity of flavour, texture and weight whilst retaining refreshing ripe fruit character. Critically, 30% of the wine is aged in French wood for 6 months adding further creamy complexity.

The floral aromas and white peach flavours are complemented by vanilla, toasty notes, a lovely creamy texture and mineral tones through to a classy finish.

ABV: 13%