Mas Lou IGP - Côtes de Thongue Inti blanc 2023

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

A spectacular debut in the Guide for this estate, which produces a charming white wine made from Vermentino and Viognier. The winemaking process and barrel aging lend the nose rich, creamy, and pastry-like notes, with a hint of flint adding complexity. Fruit (peach and apricot) adds nuance to a palate that is soft, delicate, and creamy, with a finish that lingers like fresh butter. A refined, indulgent, and remarkably well-aged wine: the “ Favorite ” is beyond dispute.

About the estate:

Winemakers Adèle Arnaud and Olivier Gil learned their craft from renowned winemakers before settling at this Haut-Languedoc estate in 2014. They cultivate (organically) 11 hectares of old vines in the Faugères appellation and 4 hectares in the Côtes de Thongue IGP. Hand-harvesting and native yeasts are the norm here.

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

About the wine:

Viognier and Vermentino, two powerful varieties from the south, complement each other in this wine, which is fermented and then aged in barrels; it has a silky depth but lacks a bit of acidity. Best enjoyed in a year or so.

About the estate:

Adèle and Olivier met in Montpellier before working in various areas around 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 of age, are nestled at altitudes ranging from 200 to 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 acquired a new property: a winery on the road to Pézenas, complete with a very comfortable guesthouse.