Lacroix-Vanel
| Vigneron | Marc-Olivier Bertrand |
| Location | Caux (Hérault) |
| Size of Domaine | 10 ha |
| Terroir | Mediterranean climate. Gravelly soil (glacial origin) and volcanic basalt. 220m altitude. |
| Viticulture | Certified organic (Ecocert) practising permaculture |
| View Lacroix-Vanel wines ↓ |
Marc-Olivier Bertrand, previously an oenologist in Alsace, bought the estate from Jean-Pierre Vanel in January 2016.
He has 10 ha of old vine vineyards surrounded by trees and shrubs that he tends organically (as well as trialling permaculture and biodynamics) around the rolling hillsides of Caux (south-east of Faugères), in foothills around 20km away from the Mediterranée. His vines are planted on terraces in quick-draining gravel and basalt soils, which help to convey both a notable freshness and distinct goût de terroir.
Marc-Olivier looks for more biting acids in his wines and less alcohol, therefore he harvests earlier and extracts very gently. No sulphur is used during the élevage, with Marc preferring to add a little when he racks off the lees rather than at bottling itself.
The Lacroix-Vanel wines have a very digestible quality, they taste close to the grapes with a vibrant and natural feel.
Lacroix-Vanel Wines
CÔTEAUX-DU-LANGUEDOC 2016
Fine Amor
60% Grenache, 40% Cinsault, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Syrah
60% Grenache, 40% Cinsault, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Syrah (14% alc.)
Low yielding old vines planted in gravel and basalt soils and tended organically. This wine offers clearly defined fruit, with dried figs and black cherries to the fore, with an attractive floral hint too. It has been sensitively extracted, there is a distinct terroir imprint, smoky and hot stone (you can detect the volcanic print), and there are fine tannins on the finish which is long and sustained.