"Full of finesse and intensity, this wine is a burst of vibrancy, ranging from citrus notes to exotic fruits. Excellent with vegetarian terrines, small red mullet, or a skewer of scallops—it’s a delight and leaves you wanting more.” — Domaine La Croix Gratiot. Revue du Vin de France 2023: Editor’s Choice, 92/100.
Les Zazous Blanc stays true to local grape varieties: Picpoul Blanc, the iconic native grape of Montagnac and the Thau Lagoon, meets Roussanne, the great grape of the southern Rhône. "Picpoul Blanc teases the lovely Roussanne."
The name Les Zazous holds several meanings dear to the estate—the Zazous were a nonconformist youth movement of the late 1930s, who loved jazz and freedom, a song by Brigitte Fontaine, and above all, Anaïs Ricôme’s own nickname. A wine that bears, with mischief and playfulness, the name of the woman who created it—"a wine that brings a smile even before it has been tasted."
Domaine La Croix Gratiot, founded in 2004 by Yves and Hugues Ricôme, is now led by Anaïs, who has steadily implemented her vision row by row and initiated the transition to organic farming in 2011 — despite her father’s initial reservations about biodynamics. Thirty-five hectares between the Thau basin and the pine-covered hills of Montagnac, with clay-limestone soils bathed by sea breezes that bring freshness, tension, and salinity to the white grape varieties. Anaïs has equipped the winery with concrete tanks and stoneware jars.
Les Zazous Blanc is a blend of Picpoul Blanc and Roussanne, harvested at night—a demanding yet crucial practice that preserves aromatic freshness and prevents premature fermentation under the Mediterranean summer heat. The winemaking process is meticulous: nighttime harvest, controlled fermentation until 10:30 a.m., followed by the transfer of part of the wine into barrels. The final blend is made after 4 months of aging—a partial aging process that adds a subtle woody note and a full-bodied texture without ever overpowering the fruit.
The 2023 vintage has a brilliant golden color. The nose is perfectly intense—rich and complex, with notes of lemon, grapefruit, and exotic fruits, particularly pineapple. The palate is full, round, and lively—the citrus and exotic fruit notes from the nose carry through to the palate with beautiful energy. "A subtle blend from the south, floral, full-bodied, and with subtle oak." Rich and intense, this wine combines the tension of Picpoul with the generosity of Roussanne in a remarkable balance praised by the RVF.
Serve between 10 and 12 °C. Pairings: aperitif, vegetarian terrines, small red mullet, crab, scallop skewers, lightly spiced Asian cuisine. Best enjoyed within 3 to 5 years.
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