We're very pleased to introduce two new wines that we're very pleased to have with us here from Lucie & Jules' 2023 vintage on the edge of the Romney Marshes. Farming biodynamically, with all movements in the cellar aligning with the lunar calendar and undertaken by gravity alone. Both of the new wines are bottled unfined, unfiltered and with no additions.
Firstly - and not to be confused with its twin (the 23 Carboy Carbonnay - the same base wine, aged in glass demijohn) CARBONNAY is a 31-day carbonic maceration of Chardonnay, aged in terracotta amphora for 10 months.. Carbonnay is juicy and bright, packed with tropical fruit, quite the magic trick to coax something so vibrant and colourful from that rainy year!
Alongside it is the thrillingly electric and nimble MEUNIER CHARDONNAY, it's a co-ferment of the two varieties (80% of the blend being Pinot Meunier) whole bunches macerating for 25 days in tank. Basket pressed to stainless steel and aged for 8 months. Landing in the special intersection of the venn-diagram between light red and rosé, it chills very happily, framing detailed fruit and opulent aromatics in the finest frame of structure.
Photos are from a great visit to Lucie & Jules at the end of July - a huge thanks to them for hosting us and so many wonderful teams from the trade. A special shout out to our St Leonards power-trio: Mish, Kacper (Bistro Albo) & chief-shucker extraordinaire Eliot (Collected Fictions) for a beautiful lunch in the vines: Maldon oysters with pickled sea herbs; tomatoes with apricot, smoked sausage, mackerel & harissa, flat iron steak, grilled courgettes.. endless summer riches. A huge privilege to have a gathering of enthusiastic and curious folk learning all about biodynamic farming and UK winemaking together.
