Les Vignerons de Buzet ‘SANS’ Sans Sulfites Ajoutés

Bursting with vibrant aromas of red and black plummy fruits, this voluptuous wine has crunchy flavours with a hint of chocolate and a lip smacking finish.

Producer Note

Les Vignerons de Buzet, founded in 1953, comprises 160 wine growers and is one of the few French cooperatives who control all stages of production: from the vineyards through to the bottled wines. They account for 95% of the vineyards planted in the region. Since 2005, they have been committed to ecological and corporate social responsibility, a philosophy which extends to all their growers with an emphasis on sustainability with a positive environmental, economic and social perspective in all aspects of production. 95% of the vineyards are certified as Haute Valeur Environmentale and are either organic or in organic conversion.

Vineyard

AOP Buzet is located on the southern bank of the Garonne River in South West France, approximately 60 miles south of Bordeaux. Wine has been produced in this area since Roman times. The close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean results in a maritime climate, which becomes increasingly continental inland. Rainfall is concentrated in spring and winter time, and during the summer southerly winds from the Mediterranean bring warming influences to the vineyards, encouraging ripening while naturally ventilating the vines. The sustainably cultivated vines thrive in calcareous clay soils with gravel, originally formed from the riverbed of the nearby River Garonne. Great emphasis is placed on preserving the soil quality; cover crops are planted between the vines to naturally enrich the soil and encourage biodiversity in the vineyard. Chemicals and herbicides are not employed. Management of resources, especially water, is key in optimising balance within the vineyard.

Winemaking

This wine was made without the addition of sulphites; any traces left in the wine are those which developed naturally during fermentation. Only the healthiest fruit was selected for vinification. Fermentation took place with selected yeasts in temperature controlled vats, with gentle maceration to extract the soft, delicate tannins and to maximise the fruit-forward dimension.

Tasting Note

Bursting with vibrant aromas of red and black berried fruits, this harmoniously balanced wine has a smooth texture, the tannins are beautifully integrated through to a long finish, rich in fruit.

Grape

Merlot 70%, Cabernet Franc 20%, Cabernet Sauvignon 10%