The first vintage of an orange wine for this small domaine situated in the Cerons appellation (which is only for sweet wines), within Graves. Five weeks skin contact, ageing only in stainless steel. Pale green with aromas of quince, rhubarb and a bit of citrus peel. Zingy fruit and a pleasing tannic prickle, but the aromatics of the Sauvignon are lacking – also lacking is the sage-like, herby character that I love so much in (for example) Styrian macerated Sauvignons. There’s a subtle bitterness on the finish.
Overall a little polite and lacking the characteristics that I would associate with such prolonged skin contact – perhaps due to overly aggressive filtering or temperature control during fermentation?
Pleasant enough to drink, with plenty of fruit and a subtle bit of lessy, chalky roundness.