Clos des Fous Pour Ma Gueule

Clos des Fous is an exciting project between four Chilean friends: Pedro Parra (the viticulturalist), Francois Massoc and Paco Leyton (the winemakers), and Albert Cussen, who looks after the business. 'Fous' is the French word for 'crazy men', a reference to what their peers described as their 'craziness' in crossing the traditional vineyard boundaries of Chile to source grapes from vineyards in the extreme conditions further south and east. Pedro is the person credited with discovering many of the top vineyard sites across Chile, as well as revolutionising the way in which iconic wineries such as Montes plant and manage their vineyards. The winery is based in Maule, to the South of the main vineyard area, where the 'Fous' make top quality varietal wines from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Vineyards

The name is a French expression "for my gob", a term used to describe a stash of wine for the producer to drink with friends and family. The grapes for Pour Ma Gueule are sourced largely from Itata Valley located 400 km south of Santiago. This is a cool, wet region without coastal mountain protection and with fewer hours of sunshine, which gives elegance to the wines. All the vineyards are very small and measure between two and six hectares. The soil is paleozoic with a small amount of quartz.

Vinification

Each of the three varieties used in this blend were hand harvested, vinified and aged separately. After crushing, the musts were fermented in concrete and stainless-steel tanks, with malolactic fermentation taking place in tank and old barrels for 12 months. Once finished, the wines were blended together, making a unique and distinctive wine.

Tasting Notes

`Pour Ma Gueule` is dark ruby in colour with violet highlights. A fruit-forward wine with aromas of red berries, black cherry and black pepper with hints of violets. These elements come through to the palate, revealing a medium-bodied wine with fine tannins and lively acidity.