2020 Domaine des Ardoisières 'Quartz' Blanc
Region: Coteau de Cevins, Savoie, France
Grape: 100% Altesse
Vineyard Practice: Certified organic, practising biodynamic
Culinary Suggestions: Raclette cheese, oysters, crayfish, roast chicken, white fish
Alcohol: 12%
Bottle Size: 750ml
This wine reveals a symphony of stone fruits, honeysuckle, and vanilla, finished with a distinctive smoky salinity. Perfect for ageing, it promises to evolve beautifully.
Origins
Michel Grisard breathed new life into the Cevins hillside in 1998 with the replanting of six hectares of mica-schists along terraces between Albertville and Moutiers, which gave rise to the Domaine. Brice Omont, an agricultural engineer from Champagne, joined the project in 2003 to support Grisard and has since taken the reins as the head of the estate, which has since grown to encompass 16 hectares. The estate takes pride in its biodynamic viticulture practises and boasts an Alpine climate. Sandy clay with schist and micaschist bedrock, limestone scree. Steep slopes up to 60%, southern exposure. 400-500m altitude, resulting in a limited but highly-prized production of just 25 hl per hectare.
'Quartz' Blanc is crafted exclusively from Altesse, the iconic grape of Savoie, chosen for its profound affinity with the local terroir. The vines, located in the heart of Cévins on south-facing terraces advised by renowned soil experts Lydia and Claude Bourguignon, are trained 'sur échalas' (on stakes) and delve directly into the slate bedrock with minimal top-soil, yielding an intensely flavoured harvest.
The winemaking process involves direct pressing and fermentation with native yeasts, followed by ageing for 18 months in barriques ranging from one to ten years old. This method enhances the wine’s flinty, almost smoky nose, which is enriched with sweet spices and savoury flavours. The schist soils impart exceptional verticality and length, framing the wine’s powerful texture and contributing to its grand stature.