VDF Les Traverses Blanc Domaine de Courbissac 2020

VDF Les Traverses Blanc Domaine de Courbissac 2018, natural wine, organic fruit, rare grapes, low sulphites, fresh, clean, full of stone fruits and a lip smacking sourness on the finish. Made from two rare grapes in the region, Listan (from Tenerife normally) and Terret Gris, this unique Vin Blanc from the South oozes Mediterranean character and flavours like peach and apricot, fennel and other herbs. The palate is sublimely fresh and tingly although is backed up with medium body and a waxy, mouthfeel, the finish is long and bitter, a stunning white wine made in tiny quantity by this magician of a wine maker.

Brunnhilde Claux runs the tiny 2.

5 hectare farm of Domaine de Courbissac in Cesseras, the heart of the Minervois. It is a region famous for its schist soils and deep, rich but sometimes rustic wines. Brunnhilde has uncharacteristic 'Terroir', Grenache, Mourvedre and Carignan on clay and limestone and Syrah on sandstone soils. This unique 'Terroir', creates elegant Minervois wines. The work in the cellar is minimal save for a rigorous selection of only the plumpest, juiciest berries for the top 'Cuvee'. Fermentation is spontaneous, either whole bunch or partially de-stalked and without any oxygen. The fermentation is all in barrels and the wines are naturally clarified and matured in barrels. These are pure southern French wines at the best and most elegant. Excellent value for money for the quality and purity of the wine and these bottles will age well too.