Chardonnay 'Grand Ardeche' Louis Latour 2024
Callmewine's FavouritesThe Chardonnay "Grand Ardèche" is a rich, soft, and fresh interpretation of Chardonnay from vineyards located in the Rhône Valley. It is vinified in oak barrels, where it ages for up to 10 months, and expresses enveloping toasted and fruity notes.
The Louis Latour Chardonnay ‘Grand Ardèche’ represents a French white wine skillfully able to combine softness and dynamism. Maison Louis Latour is one of the most innovative and pioneering wine producers in all of France, which as early as 1979 had recognized the viticultural potential of Ardèche, a wine region located between the Rhône River and the Massif Central. The estate identified the clay-limestone soils rich in gypsum of the Ardèche Valley as the ideal habitat for Chardonnay, and the best grapes cultivated here are now destined for the ‘Grand Ardèche’.
Louis Latour ‘Grand Ardèche’ Chardonnay is a pure expression of the namesake variety, whose grapes come from the best vineyards located on soils rich in clay, limestone, and gypsum, with an average age of 20 years. After harvesting and careful selection, the clusters are gently pressed, and the resulting must undergoes alcoholic fermentation in French oak barrels made by the same Maison, with complete execution of the subsequent malolactic fermentation. The maturation period lasts for 8-10 months and
takes place always in small oak barrels, of medium toasting and 20% new.Visually, the Louis Latour ‘Grand Ardèche’ Chardonnay presents itself with a light straw-yellow hue. Rich and pleasant hints of yellow-fleshed fruit and white flowers blend with toasted perceptions of almond and fragrant notes of yeast. The taste is broad, soft, and enveloping, characterized by sweet and delicate sensations of vanilla and brioche, supported by a vibrant fresh-salty verve. A full-bodied Chardonnay that pairs beautifully with elaborate seafood preparations or flavorful quiche.