Domaine des Schistes "Essencial" Blanc 2023

Domaine des Schistes — located in the village of Estagel in Roussillon — is owned by the Sires family, winegrowers since 1906. The Sires have been farmers for many generations, yet it was only when Jacques Sires started bottling the estate’s wines in 1989 that Domaine des Schistes was truly born. Today, the winery is under the stewardship of Jacques’ son Mickaël, a member of the next generation of vignerons devoted to quality and sustainability. Mickaël organically farms his 55 hectares across 80 parcels — planted by his grandfather in the late 1940s — and crafts wines of incredible character using low-intervention winemaking: native yeast fermentation, light use of oak and no fining or filtering.

Domaine des Schistes’ Essencial line-up of wines are crafted from grapes sourced from the estate’s prominent schist hillside in the Côtes du Roussillon-Villages. The Essencial Blanc — a beautiful blend of Vermentino, Grenache Gris and Macabeo — presents a dazzling bouquet of white orchard fruit mixed with hints of white flowers, garrigue and pulverized shells. Delicate, yet textured on the palate, this blanc displays a cascade of Golden Delicious apple and Asian pear flavors punctuated by a delightful acidity and fine, chalky minerality. The finish is vibrant and saline-laced. Enjoy with soft cheeses, herb-roasted salmon or lemon and thyme chicken.