L'Odyssée de Flo IGP 2021

Elegant with a leaning toward the wild. In 2021, L'Odyssée de Flo shows a cool, silky stature despite its southern origin, keeping the fruit tightly reined in while the garrigue spice carries far.

The grapes come from Mont Baudile. The Syrah is rooted in a bed of limestone scree, while the Grenache also grows on weathered pebbles and quartz. Florian Busch has farmed eight hectares in Jonquières in the Terrasses du Larzac since 2018, in a valley surrounded by laurel woods.

60% Syrah, 40% Grenache Noir. After harvest, around 14 days of maceration with regular pump-overs and punch-downs, fermented exclusively with natural yeasts, followed by neither fining nor filtration. Ageing lasts 14 months in used barriques. Total sulphur 32 mg/l, alcohol 14.0% vol., dry.

The glass releases sour cherry in great abundance, with cassis lending its dark side, while elderberry, raspberry and plum remain in the background, alongside lilac and hibiscus. Slowly, juniper, long pepper and fennel seed build up, joined by pine needles, rosemary, thyme and sage. On the palate the wine continues seamlessly: a silky, cool structure, taut acidity, fine tannin that draws the thread through. Fruit and spice remain present for a long time.

With roasted scorpionfish, oven-baked potatoes and green olives, with red mullet, dark lobster sauce and sweet potato purée, and with beetroot carpaccio, feta, walnuts and honey.

The label carries the Demeter logo; the eight hectares are farmed biodynamically. Florian Busch, who grew up on the Moselle and stayed in the Hérault after studying in Geisenheim, deliberately seeks freshness over alcoholic weight in his wines. L'Odyssée de Flo carries this path in its name.