DMIV

Samos Blanc 1958, Samos Cooperative

Sous le végétal

Here's a gem, a real gem. The Samos Cooperative is one of the oldest wine cooperatives in Greece, supplying all of Europe with sweet Muscat for several centuries. It has preserved this masterpiece, this sweet white made from Muscat Petit Grain harvested and vinified on the island, for sixty-five solid years, which is why it takes on the appearance of a red. This is because it is very old and its color has evolved over time, from amber gold to dark mahogany. Normal. Sumptuously aged and patinated, caressed by time, it is endowed with an uncommon aromatic power. This great cuvée for laying down has all the virtues of a very old sweet wine: vibrant, sweet and saline, superbly fresh, with a beautiful aromatic structure and great length. This meditation wine, which reveals all the authenticity of the island's mineral and volcanic terroir, is a perfect example of what time can do to a great muscat. It was on the occasion of the Sous le Végétal project that this nugget without additives, added sulfites or any other additives was offered to us by the Samos Cooperative. It was this same wine, if you refer to the history of the project, that inspired Jason Ligas with the idea.

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Beneath the vegetation lies the mineral: such is the meaning of this concept of natural cuvées created in Greece, on the island of Samos, by a team of friends gathered around winemakers Jason Ligas and Patrick Bouju. The successful venture marks a renaissance of the thousand-year-old vineyard of this island in the North Aegean Sea, which owes its dense, wooded vegetation to various nicknames received in Antiquity, from Dryoussa ("covered with oaks") to Kyparissia ("covered with cypresses"), by way of Melamphyllos ("Dark-leaved"). This natural wealth covers a unique and varied subsoil: volcanic rocks and notably basalts, limestone, quartz, pink granites, schists, iron cast irons… The idea was born from Jason’s meeting with the Samos Wine Cooperative. Patrick Bouju soon joined the project. The five vintages of Sous le Végétal — Livia, Hüpnos, Octave, Palli & Genesia, Alexandre and Auguste — are produced on around sixty plots of Samos Muscat à petits grains (as well as Avgoustiatis for the red vintage and Asyrtiko for Alexandre), between 400 and 910 meters above sea level. Each plot is vinified separately. For vinification, four types of containers are used: amphorae, concrete eggs, stainless steel vats and 500-liter barrels. Each lieu-dit is vinified in at least two of the four containers and the aging takes place in black bottles sealed with wax. No sulfur is added, no filtration: the winemakers of Samos rediscover wine as it was made in their childhood. This is one of the wonders of natural wine: it allows, through the most innovative projects, to reconnect with forgotten traditions. Sous le Végétal also takes under its wing the A la Natural cuvées signed Patrick Bouju, without forgetting the 1958 vintage Muscat of Samos which inspired the project to the winemakers.

Musk White 2012

Bodega Barranco Oscuro

This single-varietal Muscat wine comes from a plot planted at an altitude of 1,300 meters on schist and clay soils. The wine is aged for ten months in old barrels.
A natural wine with no added sulfites.

Magnum L'As des Années Folles White 2015

Les Vignes de l'Ange Vin

Natural wine with no added sulfites.

Alberto Lopez Calvo Tinto Cosecha Red 1995

Coruna del Conde
Named after the man who planted the vines in 1970, this great aging cuvée is composed of Tempranillo as the dominant grape variety, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon and a small amount of Merlot. The destemmed harvest ferments in vats before aging in barrels for up to four years. After bottling, the wine undergoes a final aging of two to three years. These methods, as well as the exclusive use of grapes without any additives, are those of the estate's founder, and have been perpetuated by his grandson. Vinified using the Bordeaux method but with a distinctly Iberian character, this wine has a silky, velvety texture, a hallmark of perfectly blended tannins. A delicacy with mature fruit notes, a sublime, accomplished wine for life's finest moments. Drink now.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.

Cuvée O Red 2014

Château Les Graves de Viaud

With this 2014 vintage, Domaine Les Graves de Viaud offers us a still red wine that perfectly embodies the natural elegance of the Côtes de Bourg. Made from biodynamically grown Cabernet Franc, this wine benefits from the Demeter and AB labels, guaranteeing practices that respect the land and the vines, without chemical additives or winemaking artifices. Here, nature expresses itself freely, revealing the authenticity of the Bordeaux terroir.

This exclusive cuvée (1,200 bottles) of Côtes-de-Bourg is composed of 60% Cabernet Franc. The vines grow on gently sloping hillsides with clayey gravel soils. Harvesting is done by hand, destemmed, and not crushed. Carried out in egg-shaped vats, the skin maceration is long: up to three months at a controlled temperature. Fermentation is done using indigenous yeasts, and no sulfur is added at bottling. This wine, as delicate as it is profound, has the distinction of being vegan (no animal products, therefore no egg-based fining). The nose, fresh and spontaneous, offers notes of plum, violet, and peony. The palate is pulpy, crisp, and fresh, seductive: mainly blackcurrant and blackberry. The tannins are silky and melted, yet powerful.

To the eye, this 2014 reveals a deep red color with garnet highlights, a sign of beautiful development. The nose opens generously after decanting, revealing aromas of ripe red fruits, morello cherry and raspberry, subtly enhanced by spicy notes and a vegetal touch typical of Cabernet Franc. On the palate, the attack is supple, giving way to fine and elegant tannins. The balance between freshness and structure is remarkable, with a persistent finish that reveals slightly peppery and mineral nuances.

This wine will pair wonderfully with dishes of character such as duck breast with figs, a gratin of root vegetables or even a platter of mature cheeses. Served between 16 and 18°C, it will reveal all its complexity after decanting.

With its 13.5% alcohol and its aging potential of 5 to 10 years, this 2014 vintage can be enjoyed now for its freshness or waited in the cellar for a deeper expression of its terroir.

Helvète Rouge 2016

La Sorga
This blend of Carignan and Grenache comes from grapes grown on schist soils in the Faugères appellation. The Carignan macerates for eighty days in whole bunches, on top of which the hand-destemmed Grenache is placed. The wine is aged on lees for nine months. Notes of blueberry, spice, and hot stone make it perfect for meats and poultry marinated in spices and grilled (Korean barbecue, kofta, tandoori, braised chicken, or piri-piri). Aging potential: ten years.

Goes with: Indian cuisine, Mediterranean cuisine, Oriental cuisine, White meats, Roast meats

Alberto Lopez Calvo Tinto Cosecha Red 1998

Coruna del Conde
Named after the man who planted the vines in 1970, this great aging cuvée is composed of Tempranillo as the dominant grape variety, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon and a small amount of Merlot. The destemmed harvest ferments in vats before aging in barrels for up to four years. After bottling, the wine undergoes a final aging of two to three years. These methods, as well as the exclusive use of grapes without any additives, are those of the estate's founder, and have been perpetuated by his grandson. Vinified using the Bordeaux method but with a distinctly Iberian character, this wine has a silky, velvety texture, a hallmark of perfectly blended tannins. A delicacy with mature fruit notes, a sublime, accomplished wine for life's finest moments. Drink now.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.

Du Bout des Lèvres White 2009

Jérome Lambert

A pure, sweet Chenin Blanc that respects itself, Du bout des lèvres comes from schist soil where fifty-year-old vines grow, harvested at different stages of maturity. It is here that botrytis, or noble rot, is responsible for achieving this aromatic power on both the nose and the palate. It will be wonderful as an aperitif, accompanied by some salted butter biscuits.
A natural wine with no added sulfites.

Muscat Petit Grain Blanc 2012

Le Petit Domaine de Gimios

This fortified wine, in the tradition of Saint-Jean-de-Minervois, is a fortified wine, that is, a must whose fermentation has been interrupted by the addition of alcohol. Both sweet and fresh, with incredible aromatic complexity, it can be kept chilled almost indefinitely after opening: ideal for pouring a drink for friends who are passing by.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.

Maquis Red 2015

Domaine Vinci

Lledo what? Here's a deep red produced from Lledoner Pelut, a little-known Catalan grape variety. The Maquis cuvée reflects the quintessence of the clay-limestone soil, with the added bounty of Roussillon. The grapes are vinified in whole bunches, crushed by foot, then placed in cement vats. A captivating nose with notes of raspberry, confirmed on the palate, with a fairly pronounced tannic texture.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.

Muscat Sec Des Roumanis White 2011

Le Petit Gimios

This dry Muscat Petit Grain comes from century-old vines planted in limestone soil very close to the bedrock. The grapes are foot-trodden, very lightly macerated, then aged for several months in stainless steel vats.
A natural wine with no added sulfites.

Gentlemant Malvasia de Sitges Sparkling White 2016

Clos Lentiscus

Clos Lentiscus is located in Sitges, in the Penedès region of Catalonia, in the heart of the Garraf Natural Park. Manel Avinyo and his brother Joan took over the family estate, which Manel renamed Clos Lentiscus. Even though Barcelona is only a half-hour drive away, the beauty of the landscape is striking, and the immersion in nature is complete: Mediterranean forests rub shoulders with Catalan scrubland (thyme, rosemary, rockrose, and the mastic tree, which gave the estate its name, etc.). The Penedès region also has a long winemaking history. Nestled in its gentle hills is Clos Lentiscus, in the Penedés appellation, on twenty hectares of sandy and clay-limestone soils facing due south at an altitude of 225 meters. According to historical documents, the family of Manel and Joan Avinyo has been established there since at least the 14th century. For a long time, the grapes were sold to local cooperatives, but since the two brothers took over the estate, organic and biodynamic farming has replaced conventional practices. The entire harvest is used in the house vintages. These organic and biodynamic practices have allowed this beautiful property to regain its former prestige: in the 19th century, its wines were sold in France and as far away as the Americas. Very quickly, Manel received a nickname: The Bubbleman, a tribute to his talent for vinifying cavas, these sparkling whites characteristic of the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula, from native varieties for which Catalonia holds the secret: sumoll, ull de llebre, xarel·lo, Malvasia de Sitges, cartoixà vermell, cariñena (carignan), accompanied by tempranillo and muscat of Alexandria. The vines are old, sometimes centuries old. No synthetic additives are used in the vineyard, and operations such as planting, pruning, de-budding and harvesting are dictated by the lunar phases. Pollination is facilitated by the presence of beehives; sheep contribute to fertilization and control of the plant cover. Ringo, the white horse, is responsible for working the soil.

Purity, elegance and a crisp minerality due to limestone characterize the productions of Clos Lentiscus. The note of controlled oxidation, when it is felt, does not dominate the tasting and the wines are never deviant. Cavas are known for being exuberant, but those of Clos Lentiscus never have more than two grams of residual sugar per liter. The estate also produces still wines, red, white and rosé.

Classified more as a natural sparkling wine than as a cavas, this gentleman(t) has letters of nobility. 100% Malvasia de Sitges, direct pressing; the first fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats with indigenous yeasts and the second in bottles. Aged for thirty-six months on fine lees. Distinguished, aromatic, fragrant, it combines freshness and generosity. Another wine that will go with anything you want to serve at the table.

Vin paillé Red 2012

Marie and Vincent Tricot

Marie and Vincent Tricot's Vin de paille is undoubtedly a curiosity: it's a sweet wine made from 100% Auvergne Gamay, entirely organic and natural, made like a Vin de paille from the Jura. The harvest is dried on straw in an attic before pressing. We're not used to Gamay vinified this way, or even red wine vinified this way.

It's an experiment, but the result more than justifies the boldness. Drying on straw concentrates the sugar in the grape berries and accentuates the flavors. Only a drop remains in each berry, but what a drop! Sweet, caressing, syrupy, complex, this Vin de paille is a delight. Its color is not a pure red but an amber, and the nose is a veritable basket of slightly jammy fruits: plum, prune, raisins, strawberry. It is possible that a refermentation takes place in the bottle, which can give a sparkling attack to this wine, but it disappears quickly. On the palate, a delicious sweetness, lots of strawberry and pleasantness. Very easy to drink.

To find out more

Among the generation of Auvergne winemakers who, at the dawn of the 21st century, are resurrecting the vineyards of this beautiful volcanic province of the Massif Central in organic and natural ways, Marie and Vincent Tricot are pioneers, and their name is well known to those who have long loved natural wine. After a varied winegrowing journey that took them from Beaujolais to Chile and from Chile to Costières-de-Nîmes, they landed in Auvergne, at the foot of the Puy de Dôme, in the commune of Orcet where they took over Claude Prugnard's vineyard, a land that had not seen the slightest chemical input for around thirty years. The estate is located on a hillside, on the left bank of the Allier, in a volcanic clay-limestone area neighboring the vineyards of Châteaugay, Chanturgue and Corent. They acquired it in 2003 and, since then, have been making wines from Auvergne Gamay, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with a little Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat. These rare and sought-after wines are mainly sold directly. They have a straight and flamboyant profile, and express themselves with as much character as simplicity.

Cloé Rosé 2017

Abbazia San Giorgio
Cloé is a Nerello Mascalese from the Sicilian estate Abbazia San Giorgio, planted on terraces. The grapes grow on volcanic soils poor in organic matter. Harvested at the end of September, they undergo a brief maceration, then are aged in stainless steel vats and chestnut barrels for 6 months. This is a rosé with character, boasting great freshness in addition to its floral aromas.

Xarab Garnacha Red 2009

Bodega Barranco Oscuro

On south-facing schist hillsides at an altitude of 1,300 meters, Manuel Valenzuela has created this astonishing sweet red wine from the Xarab series, made from Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, raisined on the vine and harvested in December. The wine is rich, intense, and generous, loaded with candied red fruits.
A natural wine with no added sulfites.

Muscat Petit Grain White 2002

Le Petit Gimios

A liqueur muscat in the tradition of Saint-Jean-de-Minervois, the region where the estate is located. This petit grain muscat is a fortified wine, meaning a must whose fermentation has been interrupted by the addition of alcohol. This produces a delicious beverage, both sweet and fresh, with incredible aromatic complexity. You can keep it chilled almost indefinitely after opening, tightly corked: ideal for pouring a drink for friends who are visiting. Also interesting for catering, served by the glass, due to its stability once the bottle is uncorked. Almost unlimited pairings. Serve chilled.

Find out more

Le Petit Domaine de Gimios is located near Saint-Jean-de-Minervois, an ancient terroir and source of sweet muscats from the Languedoc. In fact, the estate is dedicated to the region's typical small-grain muscat (in addition to a few other varieties), and Anne-Marie Lavaysse is firmly rooted in tradition by producing fine wines from this precious grape variety. In 1993, she and her son Pierre took over several old, abandoned vineyards, which she now uses to create the estate. Small, certainly, but multicultural and almost self-sufficient: the muscat from old vines shares the space with vegetable and food crops, fruit trees, and some livestock farming. None of this receives any chemical inputs, sulfur, or mechanical force, and the estate, certified by Écocert, is cultivated biodynamically. On these five hectares, viticulture and mixed farming are one. The harvest is carried out by hand in the early morning, destemmed and foot-trodden, before macerating for approximately ten days using native yeasts. No sulfites are added during bottling. The wines are universally described as "delicious," "pure and fresh," "clear and easy to drink." The house produces dry, sweet, liqueur-like, and fortified muscats, as well as very fruity reds made from traditional local grape varieties. Everywhere, the impression of biting into fresh grapes is felt.

Derrière les Fagots Blanc 2016,

Fond Cyprès

This Muscat, macerated for six weeks in egg-shaped vats, is aged for two years in barrels under a veil, hence its oxidative character. Fresh, refined, powerful, and long, it is an incomparable table wine.

Natural wine with no added sulfites.

Ketsa White 2015

Domaine Fond Cyprès

Natural wine with no added sulfites.

Coteau Libre White 2015

Domaine Le temps retrouvé

Two Grenaches for the pleasure of one, and not just any: Grenache Blanc and Grenache Gris from vines planted on terraces on clay-siliceous soils. Aged for four years in barrels, Coteau Libre is one of those wines whose texture is evident on the nose. On the palate, it has a beautiful density and a very respectable length.

A natural wine with no added sulfites.

Odyssea Ansonica White 2017,

Macchion Dei Lupi

Natural wine with no added sulfites.