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L'Arbre Blanc
Les Orgues 2020

  • Region Saint-Sandoux, Auvergne, France
  • Grapes Pinot Noir
  • Vineyard Organic
  • Cellar Fermented with native yeasts, unfiltered & unfined, no additional sulphites
  • ABV 13%
  • Size 750ml

About the Wine

Pinot Noir from the Auvergne that is nimble and expressive with incredible purity of flavour. The wine comes from two parcels of vines at varying elevations both planted over the same iron-rich volcanic soils. Two months of whole bunch maceration are followed by 2 years in 1000ltr stoneware jars, as apposed to old barrels for earlier vintages. 

Fred’s Pinot Noir is perhaps the most well-known wine from the estate. The 2020 is a vintage that is drinking very well in its (relative) youth, but as ever will have a long life ahead in the cellar. There are earthy, savoury Pinot varietal notes, with some lovely dusty tannins and that sanguine smack of Auvergnat smoke and salt to finish.

About L'Arbre Blanc

The Gounan family has been in Saint Sandoux for generations. Fred's father had apple orchards as many people in the area once did. Sadly these orchards have now been replaced with the ubiquitous wheat and so have most of the vineyards. Fred and Caroline's two small plots of Pinot Noir stand alone on the basaltic western slope of the valley in whose trough runs the A75 opposite the hill of Corent (home of Patrick Bouju and François Dhumes). Off to the north Fred points out a patch of vines that his neighbour has left to run wild, next to that he shows us some Pinot Gris and Sauvignon that he planted in 2010. The two plots of Pinot Noir, one higher and one lower, are both planted en lyre, a system that enhances leaf and fruit exposure to the sun (much needed in the moderate climate of the Auvergne) and, as Fred assures, acts as a cosmic funnel. The funneling seems to work, Fred's vines are beautiful and the ground around them rich with other plant life - testament to his and Caroline's work.

More from L'Arbre Blanc

L'Arbre Blanc
Les Fesses 2019

L'Arbre Blanc’s intriguing blend of Pinot Gris & Sauvignon Blanc from the iron-rich volcanic soils of the Auvergne. lifted aromatics of peaches and spice with a crackle of volcanic minerality, then such a pure palate, gripping tannic elements, dried fruits, quince and some creamy malolactic notes. Heavenly! Find out more.

  • Region Saint-Sandoux, Auvergne, France
  • Grapes Pinot Gris & Sauvignon Blanc
  • Vineyard Organic
  • Cellar Fermented with native yeasts, unfiltered & unfined, no additional sulphites
£48

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L'Arbre Blanc
Ma Carotte 2020

Sauvignon Blanc from a tiny half hectare of vines, planted in 2010 on the typical iron-rich volcanic soils of the Auvergne. The grapes are direct pressed into 1000lt stoneware jars where they spend time on the lees. Find out more.

  • Region Saint-Sandoux, Auvergne, France
  • Grapes Sauvignon Blanc
  • Vineyard Organic
  • Cellar Fermented with native yeasts, unfiltered & unfined, no additional sulphites
£67

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