2024 Anne Gros & Jean Paul Tollot Les Fontanilles

Domaine Anne Gros & Jean Paul Tollot are two very well-known winemakers from Burgundy who have joined forces in the South of France and started working there; when this top level collaborates, success is guaranteed. The wines of Anne Gros and Jean Paul Tollot are of high quality and receive wonderful reviews in the press. Domaine Anne Gros & Jean Paul Tollot is situated in the Causse, which is undoubtedly the best part of the Minervois, partly due to its altitude, which varies from 200 m to nearly 500 m. This results in the lowest night temperatures in the Minervois and a slower thermal warming in the spring. The Anne Gros & Jean Paul Tollot Les Fontanilles is a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, and Cinsault, sourced from the finest plots, all facing northwest and surrounded by thickets of pine trees, wild thyme, and rosemary, on which these four estate varieties grow. It is a so-called field-blend vineyard, meaning all grape varieties are present within the vineyard. The vineyard covers an area of only 3 hectares. Here, the grapes are naturally hand-picked in several cycles; only the perfectly ripened bunches are picked, while those not quite ready are allowed to ripen further. The vines are between 25 and 50 years old and sit on a marl-sandstone-clay-limestone soil. After harvesting, the wine ages for 12 months, and even with this top wine from Anne Gros and Jean Paul Tollot, the fruit must dominate, so 50% is aged in oak and the remaining 50% in stainless steel. Les Fontanilles is a cuvée that combines ripeness and freshness, offering a bouquet of red and black fruit and peppery spices. This wine pairs particularly well with grilled meats and barbecues. Delightful, elegant, and wonderfully balanced