Villa Blanche Chardonnay

Founded in 1995, Calmel & Joseph is a maison de negoce specializing in Languedoc-Roussillon wines from private wineries from across the region. Over the years, they have built close personal relationships with a large number of growers from all appellations. Convinced of the extraordinary potential of this region, oenologist, Laurent Calmel, and Jerome Joseph work together on the vinification, blending and ageing of wines with the common purpose of demonstrating the little known yet unique quality of these Mediterranean terroirs. As well as their desire to produce high quality wines consistent with their terroirs, they are committed to making wines which reflect their convictions and experience.

Chardonnay,

Volcanic, clay and limestone. The climate is typically Mediterranean, warm and sunny with low rainfall. Winters are mild, summers are hot and the usual dry conditions ensure that the grapes ripen fully. Vines are ploughed; no weed killer is used. Pruning is short to regulate the vine's growth and its yields.

The grapes are picked at night, in two passes. The first harvest is done at a relatively early stage in maturity, to keep freshness in the wine. Then 15 days later a second harvest is done, to get good concentration and varietal aromas. Grapes are destemmed and then macerated at 5°C for 4 hours. Fermentation is temperature-controlled 15°C (no malolactic fermentation). The wine is aged for three months in oak barrels then bottled.

Brilliant and limpid with a pale greenish gold hue. The aromas are particularly expressive in this rather hot vintage, with stone fruit such as apricot or vine peach, evolving to floral notes of acacia blossom and aniseed. Good balance in the mouth, fresh, fruity and round, with a delicious minerality which is the signature of this wine from one vintage to the next. Softly oaky and very harmonious finish which remains superbly fresh in spite of the heatwave conditions of the vintage.