Cuvée des Contis is the house speciality; slightly botrytised Semillon (50%) with Sauvignon (40%) and Muscadelle. The nose is quite complex, the attack is both rounded and vividly fresh - melon, white peach, apricot, rose petals and hints of ginger and fennel, fresh, mineral ending.
"A blend of Semillon with Sauvignon and Muscadelle, this is a delicious mix of fine citrus acidity and smoothly textured yellow fruits, with hints of honey and grilled nuts. You could try this with salmon or another full-flavoured fish." John Wilson, IRISH TIMES BOTTLE OF THE WEEK
TOUR DES GENDRES, Ribagnac Biodynamic
Luc de Conti is a wonderful character and one of the finest wine-maker of his generation, he feels passionately for his wines, his 54-ha vineyard and his Bergerac region.
Luc is looking for purity and intensity in his wines, relentlessly searching to reach the maximum potential of each vintage.
Viticulture is biodymanic, the soil is nourished with seaweed and silica treatments to encourage microbial activity. Yields are low, 5 to 6 grapes per vine, manual picking and selection of ripe and healthy grapes is essential; on the top cuvées there are several ‘tris’ in the vineyard, and the wine will only be released if it reaches the highest of standards. The blends will also change according to the physiological ripeness of the grapes.
In recent vintages, Luc’s wines are losing in extraction and gaining in tension, balance and tend to drink younger.