Dom. de la Zouina ‘Epicuria’ Chardonnay 2023

Introduction

Get to know:Domaine la Zouina, ‘Epicuria’ Chardonnay

Tasting Note

A superbly crafted wine that shows off the many faces of Chardonnay. A nose of custard apple, white flowers and pear fruit. Several months of barrel ageing deliver hints of vanilla and toast. It is big and attention grabbing with sweet apple, quince and green almonds with a complex musky finish.

Try this with smoked trout or a spiced tagine.

Producer Info

The Domaine de la Zouina is an old colonial estate created by the French in the early twentieth century. Grard Gribelin, an avid golfer, and Philippe Gervoson, a car racing enthusiast, both oenophiles, bought it in 2002. Grard Gribelinspent thirty years managingChteau Fieuzal, a Pessac-Lognan Grand Cru. His son Christopher manages this estate today. Philippe Gervoson owns Chteau Larrivet Haut-Brion in Pessac-Lognan, so both have a wealth of classical winemaking experience to bring to this project.

To maximise the efficiency of the vines the work in the vineyard is meticulous. 4000 vines per hectare eliminates stress hydrique and canopy management achieves the best aeration for the vines. Quality is further enhanced by voluntary small yields, a green harvest at the beginning of summer and various inspectionswhich discard the grapes which do not merit being in the final blend.