La Colline Aux Fossiles IGP Cotes Catalanes Chardonnay 2023 Sustainable

Staff recommendation! One of the cleanest tasting chards out there!  La Colline Aux Fossiles, or Hill of Fossils, is a balanced and vibrant Chardonnay (100%) grown on the gentle slopes of the Tet River valley in the Roussillon. Walking through these vines you can find ancient fossils among the gravel washed down from the nearby mountains. The terroirs and microclimates of the Roussillon make it a veritable playground for experimentation and discovery – even with something as common seeming as Chardonnay. Eric Solomon and Jean-Marc Lafage (Maker of the Lafage Bastide Wines) has partnered together to make Chardonnay that grows more inland from the Tet river valley on deep red clay soils. The name Colline aux Fossiles may seem fanciful, but there are actually old, weathered fossils mixed in this site’s gravelly soils. Wine Notes Appearance: Pale gold with bright clarity. Nose: Aromas of ripe orchard fruits like apple and pear, alongside citrus notes of lemon and grapefruit. Subtle hints of white flowers, vanilla, and a touch of toasted almond from oak aging. Palate: Medium to full-bodied with a creamy texture. Flavors of golden apple, pineapple, and stone fruits lead to a balanced acidity. Notes of hazelnut, butterscotch, and a delicate minerality provide depth. Finish: Long and elegant with lingering citrus and a slight saline quality.