Quintessence de Mondeuse AOP Vin de Savoie 2020

An alpine red wine built on clarity and tension: 11.5% vol., polished tannin, vibrant acidity. Dry, juicy, transparent, with cool spice behind the red fruit.

The vineyard is located near Poisy in Haute-Savoie, with views of Mont Blanc, under a moderate continental climate. Two hectares of Mondeuse are spread across three, at times extremely steep, vineyards between 350 and 450 metres; the terroirs are found in Desingy, Collonges and Peillonnex. The soils blend calcareous clay, glacial moraine and rock. Philippe Héritier, a trained agricultural engineer and former bank manager, cleared abandoned steep slopes near Frangy in 2006 and today farms five hectares.

Pure Mondeuse Noire, the indigenous grape variety of the Alps. Yield stands at 20 hl/ha, the grapes are 90% destemmed to avoid astringency and macerate for six months. Ageing spans two winters in older barrels, and the wine is bottled unfiltered. In the vineyard Héritier works with biodynamic preparations and herbal teas, in the cellar with wild yeasts and minimal sulphur.

On the nose, sweet, concentrated cherries, elderberry and blackberry, together with mint, cinnamon and cubeb pepper. On the palate, cherry and cherry stone, pomegranate juice and blood orange, red berries and dark fermentation notes of black cardamom, tobacco and tea. The acidity remains crisp and vibrant, the wine flows pure and unrestrained.

Fine tannin and fresh acidity carry both fish and braised dishes: briefly grilled swordfish steaks with capers and beetroot jus, slow-cooked bœuf bourguignon or a mushroom tart.

Héritier had his cellar built in a hexagonal shape based on the golden ratio, inspired by the ancient theatre of Epidaurus. On the side, he also breeds 300,000 snails a year. His clients include chefs Marc Veyrat, Jean Sulpice and Yoann Conte.