Mas Lou IGP - Côtes de Thongue Inti blanc 2023

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

A triumphant debut in the Guide for this estate, which has produced a charming white wine made from Vermentino and Viognier. The winemaking process and barrel aging imbue the nose with rich, creamy, and pastry-like notes, with a hint of flint adding complexity. Fruit (peach and apricot) adds nuance to a palate that is full of texture—delicate, creamy, and lingering with notes of fresh butter on the finish. A refined, indulgent, and remarkably well-aged wine: the Favorite dispute.

About the estate:

Winemakers Adèle Arnaud and Olivier Gil honed their craft under the guidance of renowned winemakers before settling at this Haut-Languedoc estate in 2014. They cultivate 11 hectares of old vines organically within the Faugères appellation and 4 hectares under the Côtes de Thongue IGP. Hand-harvesting and the use of native yeasts are standard practice here.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

Viognier and Vermentino, two powerful southern varieties, complement each other in this cuvée, which is vinified and aged in barrels; it has a silky depth but lacks a bit of acidity. Best enjoyed in a few years.

About the estate:

Adèle and Olivier met in Montpellier before working at various estates in Collioure. The allure of schist led them to Faugères—more specifically, to Fos—where they discovered pockets of old vines. In less than 10 years, they have become the new face of the appellation and today offer a clear and accurate expression of the schist terroirs. Their vines, averaging over 30 years old, are nestled at altitudes between 200 and 400 meters. The different styles of wine are the result of diligent work on individual plots, and a transition to organic farming began in 2019. With the 2022 harvest, the couple has taken on a new space: a winery on the road to Pézenas, complete with a very comfortable guesthouse.