Maison Ventenac L'Intrus

Maison Ventenac L'Intrus

"Whoever thought of planting Cabernet Franc here? Occasionally you might also be asked: Why on earth is it growing in this sunny climate? The warmth brings liveliness, freshness and elegance is the reply from this northern winegrower, who with his flat accent, red beard, and pasty complexion, is something of an intruder himself, if truth be told." The guy from up north

100% Cabernet Franc and declassified as Vin de France, this is part of the limited bottled ”Les Dissidents” range. Following a number of experiments, a whole instinctive range comprised of micro-cuvees and varietal wines, produced by the appellation, in truly exclusive, libertarian style. A limited number of bottles with a choice of what the winemaker believes to be the best varieties of soil, this unclassified range of French wine defies the institutions, their regulations and conventional wine.

Yield of 45 hectoliters per hectare with non sulfite fermentation with indigenous yeasts and bio-protection (by using non saccharomyces yeasts to avoid brettanomyces). Post fermentation maceration for 10 days at 35 degrees Celsius, malolactic fermentation and aging for 3 months in concrete tanks.

Tasting Notes

Although totally, consummately Cabernet Franc on the nose, it’s also most definitely not Loire Cabernet Franc. It’s warmer, riper, with the perfume of red currants and intense, piercing cranberry sweetness rising through graphite and green bell pepper and fresh tarragon. Sinewy, tight with long legs, clad in silk-stocking tannins. With fennel and caraway seed flavours and crunchy acidity, this has elegance but defies all the norms. Great stuff. A fond, fresh and juicy wine, or where the Languedoc meets the Loire.