Domaine Estrade Côtes de Gascogne Blanc 2021

Domaine Estrade Côtes de Gascogne Blanc 2021

COUNTRY & REGION France, Gascony

APPELLATION Côtes de Gascogne

PRODUCER Rémy & Eric Estrade

FOUNDED 1962

VINIFICATION NOTES:
Grapes from 30 to 40-year-old vines are harvested in cool pre-dawn hours of night and vinified in temperature controlled stainless steel to retain aromatic freshness.

The Estrade family has been farming a mix of grains and grapes here since 1962, and the domaine has estate-bottled a portion of its production since 2003. Today brothers Rémy and Eric, representing the third generation, manage affairs. They farm 200 acres of wheat, fava beans, chickpeas, and lentils, along with 217 acres of grapes. Of the latter, the white varieties are Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc, and Ugni Blanc.

These vines average thirty to forty years of age and are harvested at night when temperatures are coolest, which preserves fresh aromatics and avoids having to artificially chill down the grapes. Much of the electrical power at the domaine comes from solar panels, and water used in cellar operations is recycled. In 2018 the brothers embarked on the road to organic viticulture and certification came in 2022 (the cereals and beans had already been certified).

The domaine is located in the Ténarèze zone of Armagnac. Fortunately, all of the Estrade’s grapes go into their wine, and that’s a really good thing considering the demand the family handles every year. Their Côtes de Gascogne is a great value.