Combe Rocher Reserve Pays d'Oc Chardonnay 2025 (France)

Description

Nectarine, Oak, Pastry

"Beautifully styled and elegant, the finely expressed bouquet reveals ripe peach, fig, nougat, and biscotti aromas, followed by a silky-smooth palate that’s succulent and creamy. Harmonious and balanced with a lingering, delectable finish. At its best: now to 2029" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

"I have been a fan of this Chardonnay for a while now and this new vintage does not disappoint. Light gold in appearance, with fine aromatics of candied citrus peel, honeysuckle and toffee apple. The fruit is delicate, and still rich and juicy too, but that is not what this wine is about. This is a textural, mouth filling Chardonnay with balanced acidity, a lick of toasty oak and a clean, dry finish. Great food matching potential – ticks all the boxes that you may have for a French Chardonnay, and then some" Paul Tudor, Master of Wine

Produced by the highly acclaimed LGI wines, who were awarded Best French Still Wine Producer at the Berliner Wein Trophy for three years in a row. Originally the brainchild of Alain Grignon and UK Master of Wine Mark Lynton, who had a vision of making affordable, modern French wines designed specifically for the international market. Now under the supervision of oenologist Xavier Roger with wines tailor-made to appeal to Kiwi tastes through local importer Steve Bennett, Master of Wine.

Fragrant with aromas of ripe melon, cream and hints of vanilla. Dry, rich and textural with enough freshness to balance the whole and finishing with nutty complexity.

The Combe Rocher (literally ‘rocky valley’) range is one of pure authenticity crafted from carefully selected terroirs, situated on high altitude slopes, with rocky soils. The terroir effect is very noticeable in this region due to the great variety of winegrowing microclimates that create an expression of the grape varieties that is unique.

This specific Chardonnay is sourced from lowland vineyards from the Pays d’Oc, planted on calcareous marls. These well-drained soils, located close to the Canal du Midi, are protecting the vines from drought as the Chardonnay needs enough watering to produce balanced and healthy grapes with great aromatic intensity. The grapes are harvested early in the season, in the fresh morning. The pressing is very gentle, in a pneumatic press preserving quality. 30% of the wine ferments under the influence of French oak. The balance is fermented at cooler temperatures in vat without malolactic influence to preserve the freshness of the wine. The wine is aged 6 months on its fine lees with regular stirring to add richness of texture and nutty complexity.

Food Pairing: Great with seafood, white meat, quiche and rich vegetable dishes.