Andre Brunel is such a calm, urbane gent that it is of no surprise to taste that his wines have the same kind of careful consideration and reserve that he does. But he's deceptively passionate too, and he pours as much of this passion into each of his wines, from his top Châteauneufs to this great little number. Complex and intense with peppery spice, dense berry fruits and hints of raspberry, cocoa and vanilla at the finish. Will cellar for up to 3-4 years with ease.
The Bécassonne cuvée comes from a unique plot, particularly suited for this production of white wine. Clay earth on a calcareous subsoil which all lies on a hill exposed to the rising sun but protected from the burning setting sun by a pine forest, allowing the grapes to fully ripen and to give a floral and exotic character to this wine while preserving a real freshness which is fairly rare for the white Côtes du Rhône Blanc. The cuvée is characterized by hints of floral and exotic fruits.
The vines are located in the Commune of St Génies de Comolas (Gard) on a poor sandy soil with lime-clay subsoil. With elegance and finesse in mind, the Grenaches grown there produce a low yield. The rest of the fruit comes from Travaillan in the Vaucluse and are grown on a stony soil with lime subsoil and produce a powerful wine. The vineyards are naturally worked with sustainable practice in mind. The blend is 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 10% old-vine Cinsault. The wine has aromas and flavors of small red berry fruits, blackcurrant and cherries with slight touch of spices.