Calmel & Joseph – Pays d’Oc Chardonnay Villa Blanche

Located a few kilometers away from the picturesque medieval walled city of Carcassonne, UNESCO World Heritage, the Haute Couture micro négoce Domaine Calmel & Joseph crafts a panel of authentic terroir driven wines from Languedoc Roussillon.
Calmel & Joseph is involved in all the stages of the process from the initial vineyard management to vinification and bottling. The low intervention winemaking is done by Laurent Calmel, while Jérôme Joseph, the business side, travels the world as the Ambassador of the Domaine. The pair also owns a stunning, organically farmed, 200 hectare property in the village of Montirat. Twenty 20 hectares is under vine, the rest being devoted to biodiversity with olive groves, lavender Fields, almonds orchards and beehives.

Organic. Chardonnay (estate grown + negoce) from a mixed terroir of volcanic base with some 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. Handpicked at night, in two passes. Fermentation is temperature-controlled 15°C (no malolactic fermentation). Thirty percent of the production is aged for 3 months in French oak barrels.

Organic. Expressive and delicate floral aromas, wild honeysuckle and lemon verbena, white peach, apricot with hints of aniseed. This is a rich expression of Chardonnay with a silky texture, soft herb and lemon veil drawn over white stone fruit. A light note of vanilla pod and cardamom. All the components are there, drawn in by a tense thread of acidity. The finish is moderately persistent, that makes it a very versatile wine.

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