Château de Lascaux - Languedoc Garrigue blanc 2024

Since 1990, Château de Lascaux has been led by Jean-Benoît Cavalier, an agricultural engineer who also oversees the vast Languedoc appellation. The estate, located in Vacquières, cultivates vineyards, some of which are classified as Pic-Saint-Loup. This 45-hectare estate, which focuses primarily on Syrah, is certified organic. The estate is constantly innovating and does not hesitate to challenge itself—a hallmark of progress. It vinifies by terroir, isolating the plots planted on different soil types, including the Gravette de Corconne, with its distinctive character. The new, very well-designed winery has allowed for greater precision in the wines, and the use of large containers has eliminated the need for aging processes that take a long time to integrate. You can truly enjoy the wines here, starting with the entry-level offerings. Carra 2023 is outstanding.

Jean-Benoît Cavalier, an agronomist by training, revived the family estate in the mid-1980s, following in the footsteps of fourteen generations of winemakers on this limestone-gravel terroir that his family has cultivated since 1554. This iconic figure of Pic Saint-Loup manages his vineyard (now 85 hectares) using organic and biodynamic farming methods. On some plots, sheep graze the grass between the vines, tilling the soil and providing all-natural fertilizer. A sure bet.

For now, the sweet notes of pineapple dominate, but I can already detect hints of herbs, sage, and rockrose. A soft apricot flavor gradually emerges, along with dried rose petals and papaya. The wine still lacks a bit of structure, but all the elements are clearly present: ripe acidity, firm fruit, herbaceous complexity, and lovely top notes. Let it age for another six to twelve months in the bottle.