Ancestral Julien Courtois 2011

Ancestral Julien Courtois, biodynamic wine, Cot, Gamay, rich and textured natural wine. Courtois reds always need time and my experience of older vintages is always delightful and Ancestral 11 is something extra. Soft, smooth sensuous wine which lacking nothing of its vibrancy when young but seemed to have softened and come together in perfect balance and harmony. Courtois is never full bodied in the mass ,market sense but the wine is still rich, stunning aromas of fruits and all kinds of herbal complexity. The palate is simply delicious, not funky but absolutely individual. This is an un-sulphured, biodynamic wine that anyone can enjoy and for the devotees of natural wine and Julien Courtois in particular, it is a rare treat. Not much left, snap it up!

Julien Courtois, following in his father Claude's footsteps, created his own vineyard, Le Clos de la Bruyère, in 1998.

Based in Soings en Sologne, the 4.5 hectare domain is run by Julien and his girlfriend, Heidi. They work with seven varieties of grapes, including an ungrafted Menu Pineau, planted in 1978, which is used to make the Originel wine. They adhere strictly to the principle of making wines from low-yield vineyards, so the wines can be as concentrated as possible. Their work is guided by the natural rhythms of nature, and all the work takes place by hand. Chemical treatments are eschewed in favour of plant-based remedies. “We make wines that are different, natural and rich from the values provided by a sane wine-making process,” Julien explains. “Whether in the vineyards or in the cellar, wines are made without any chemical products, which gives them a unique and singular taste.” Tasting his wines is one of those rare wine experiences which make you feel privileged to be tasting something special produced by someone unique.