L'Ancienne Cure - Monbazillac L'Abbaye 2007 (50cl)

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Christian Roche has come a long way since obtaining organic certification in 2012 for his entire estate (50 hectares, including 33 for white wines and 17 for reds). He produces a wide range of perfectly crafted wines, both red and white. The entry-level wines are flavorful and approachable, the result of meticulous viticulture, while the top vintages are models of precision and complexity. In November 2021, Christian Roche passed away and made his wife Nathalie promise to carry on the legacy. And that is exactly what she is doing, supported by her children and son-in-law.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

A Favorite the wines of L'Ancienne Cure? No one will be particularly surprised, given that this estate—which has stood atop the podium time and again—shines for its consistent excellence. Here, the Monbazillac is adorned with gold, as it should be. Without being explosive, the bouquet is beautifully complex: candied fruit, of course, but also notes of quince, acacia, and lemon... From the first sip, the balance of sugar and acidity is remarkable. It is at once rich, powerful, full-bodied, and fresh. The oak (26 months in barrels) is perfectly integrated, allowing the fruit to shine through. In a word, harmonious.

About the estate:

As the fifth generation to cultivate vines, Christian Roche inherited part of the family estate in 1984 and set up his winemaking facility five years later. Based in the former presbytery of Colombier and with a 50-hectare vineyard (predominantly white grape varieties) on varied soils, cultivated organically, he had made his estate—supplemented by his work as a wine merchant and producer—one of the must-visit destinations in the Bergerac region. Following his untimely death in 2021, his wife Nathalie continues his legacy.

Guide des Vins Gault & Millau

About the wine:

Here, the focus is on balance, demonstrating that a great sweet wine isn’t about sheer sweetness but rather about balance—and that’s exactly what you’ll find here. Roasted apricot and candied papaya will gently caress your taste buds.

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

About the wine:

Among the Monbazillacs, we particularly highlight the 2007 Abbaye, with its voluptuous and pure botrytis and irresistibly rich flavor.

About the estate:

A presbytery atop the hill lends its name to the vineyard, whose rows cascade down the slopes to the road where Christian Roche has set up his wine shop. The vineyard, which has been organic since 2012, encompasses several appellations, including 3 hectares in Pécharmant, and is divided into four: Jour de fruit, L’Extase, and L’Abbaye, plus a sulfur-free wine: Ça sulfit! While the range is modernizing with this label, all the wines remain true to the classic fundamentals of the Bergerac region. Christian Roche passed away in the fall of 2020, but the L’Ancienne Cure adventure continues thanks to his wife Nathalie.