2008 Christian Ducroux Regnié Sans Souffre!

10/2/2009 -

(Domaine Ducroux in Thulon, Photo: David Lillie)

Exciting news for Natural Wine lovers - we've received our allocation for the year of Christian Ducroux's 2008 Regnie Sans Souffre! (And a little of the regular cuvèe as well) Ducroux is a master of natural wine-making - his vineyards have been organic (now certified Biodynamic by Demeter) since 1985 giving the grapes the nutrients and natural defenses necessary for no-sulfur vilifications. Also important is a high level of acidity which inhibits the lactic bacteria from attacking the sugars in the wine. Ducroux's vines, which are 60 to 80 years-old, are at high elevation in poor granit soils, in the hamlet of Thulon, producing high acidity and low alcohol, normally around 12 degrees. Ducroux makes all compost on the estate and uses horses in the vineyard to minimize soil compaction. The fermentations are in wood, with wild yeasts, and the wines are bottled without filtration. In 2008, he picked in early October - yields were very low due to poor weather during the flowering. The wines are rounder and more deeply fruited than the elegant 2007's. From barrel last winter the 2008 showed lovely floral and red fruit aromas with deep blackberry fruit and earthy notes on the palate. PLEASE NOTE that this wine will need aeration! The 2007 Sans Souffre (from bottle) had aromas of reduction which needed about 30 minutes to dissipate, after which the nose was subtle and gorgeous with black and red fruits with hints of pepper and mint. Peak drinking for the 2008 should begin in the spring of 2010 and last for three to five years.