Bellivière 2023 Jasnières Prémices

The Belliviere Jasnieres "Prémices" is a selection of the most fruit-forward barrels and is the first release in any given vintage. The fruit comes from vines ranging from 10-50 years old, planted on variations on flinty clay soils over tuffeau (soft limestone). .The bunches are direct-pressed into tank, where the juice settles overnight; it is moved by gravity into barrel, where it ferments with native yeasts and minimal sulfur. The wine ages in barrel for about a year. There is usually residual sugar, as fermentation is never pushed and stops short of dryness in this cool cellar and climat, but in 2023, the wine is dry at only 2 grams of RS/liter (with over 4 grams of acidity/liter). The wine shows a lovely pale gold color and beautiful aromas of quince, lemon verbena, lime-flower and stone, really pretty. The palate is elegant and silky with citrus, white fruit, chamomille, chalk and mineral flavors, perfectly balanced. Just a beautiful wine, in a lighter style for Premices, making it a perfect aperitif and also a beautiful food wine.  Enjoy immensely over the next 5 to 8 years. David Lillie