The wines of Domaine Vendange, Savoie, France
Located in Combe de Savoie, on the foothills of the Massif des Bauges, Domaine Vendange stretches over 10 organically farmed hectares, on south facing slopes of youthful glacial till / limestone scree. The Vendange family has been involved with the viticulture and agronomic industries for many years, and are one of the largest vine nurseries in the region. After studying viticulture and oenology in Beaune, Benjamin Vendange returned in 2015 to the family property. With his partner Diane Gounel, oenologist from Languedoc-Roussillon, they started their own estate with the family’s holdings, smartly bottling their latest releases under DIAM3 closures. I tasted through the quartet without knowing the background of the Domaine or wines, and was instantly smitten. Fantastic value at under $20 CDN wholesale.
Domaine Vendange Jacquère La Côte 2019, AOP Savoie, France
This Jacquère comes from 25 year old vines, and was native fermented and briefly rested in stainless, with a little bâtonnage post ferment. Tight lemon, wild herbs, grapefruit blossoms and pith, salted marcona are strung with buzzy, shimmering acidity, offset by a fine veil of lees on the light, 11.5% palate. A light, slight, saline, mountain white for taking with delicate spring dishes. 91/100
Domaine Vendange Roussette de Savoie Madame de M… 2018, AOP Roussette de Savoie, France
This Altesse (aka Roussette) is from 20 year old vines, native fermented long and cool in stainless, with 1/3 going through MLF. This then rested 10 months in a mix of older barrels and stainless. Nimble and shining, with tight and perfumed elderflower, hawthorne, subtle tangerine blossoms, pear skin buzzing along the medium bodied palate, lingering with salinity and honeysuckle. Such a charmer. 91/100
Domaine Vendange Chardonnay Montée des Crémaillères 2019, AOP Savoie, France
This Chardonnay comes from 25 year old vines, and was native fermented in a mix of stainless and 15% older barrels, with full MLF. It remains there for 10 months, with bâtonnage. There’s a lovely lemon freshness that pervades this brisk, slender chardy, with a well-placed lightly creamy lees bed to counter the mountainous slopes. The limestone scree is felt along the buzzing undercurrent, positively illuminating this medium bodied white, and sending it to a highly saline finish. Stunner, drinking very smartly now, and with time ahead. 92/100
Domaine Vendange Mondeuse Le Coz 2018, AOP Savoie, France
From 20 year old vines, this Mondeuse was destemmed and with 10 days on skins, native fermented in stainless prior to heading to a 50/50 mix of stainless and older barrels for 1 year’s rest. After a puff of reduction blows off, this slight (11.5%) mountainous red shows saline laced red cherry, pomegranate, wild plum, framed with finely furry tannins. Acidity is lofted, easily carrying this to a sticky, saline finish. Best with a slight chill. 89/100
Find these wines with wine-searcher.com
