Chardonnay

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!

L’Outreblanc comes from a single parcel planted in 2000. Clay topsoils and a northwest orientation help the grapes to ripen steadily over the growing season while retaining plenty of acidity and aromatic complexity. As with all his wines, L’Outreblanc has a very polished style that is a testament to Jérôme’s deft and meticulous approach in the cellar. Here he divides the alcoholic fermentation between stainless steel and 2000L foudres, resulting in wine with lovely texture and purity of fruit.

Tasting Notes : Lemon peel, poached pear, hazelnut, toast. A dead ringer for white Burgundy, with a fresh, crystalline profile. 

Food Pairing : Subtle and well-balanced, this would be delicious with white crabmeat or seared scallops.