Chenin Blanc
Brothers Jérôme and Stéphane Bernatas came into wine later in life, both coming from successful careers in journalism. Their seven hectares of vines cover three communes around the town of Limoux: La Digne d'Amont, Castelreng and Magrie. Unlike many growers in the region, they do not produce a sparkling wine, but fantastic still wines from Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Mauzac. The brothers cultivate their vines according to biodynamic principles, and parcels such as La Petite Cordillère are some of the most stunning we have visited, dizzyingly steep and with breathtaking views of the Pyrenean foothills. The Bernatas wines are unique in the region for their precision and freshness. This is thanks in great part to sites with higher elevations and north-facing exposures, but their meticulous approach in the cellar is not to be understated!
La Petite Cordillère is from a single parcel, one of the steepest and highest plots in Castelreng. The vines southeast exposure and 320 metres of elevation, a combination which allows the Chenin to reach optimum ripeness while retaining plenty of acidity and aromatic complexity. Grapes are pressed gently on arrival at the winery and fermented naturally in stainless steel. As is required by the Limoux AOC, there is a brief maturation in oak. La Petite Cordillère matures in neutral vessels ranging from 400L to 2000L.
Tasting Notes : Honey, meyer lemon, verbena. Wonderful texture, with a bright, zesty chord of acidity.
Food Pairing : This is a versatile wine, with a touch of body and plenty of freshness. Fish in a cream sauce would certainly work, as would mussels, or even roast chicken.
