New from Es D’Aqui

The superstar micro-negociant Jean-Louis Pinto, based in the hills of Limoux, has once again come up with a kaleidoscopic range of wines based on the grapes he harvests around his southern pocket of France. Having invested in a host of new jarre for élevage in his cellar we are seeing a new clarity and precision in the wines, with this vintage easily his best yet.

From the current release we have two sparkling wines - Illumi-Nat! from 2019, a macerated Mauzac which we loved so much last year we begged for a little more, and the 2020 vintage of Conciliabulle, now a direct press of Pinot Noir which, with its sherberty uplifiting palate, reminds us spring is just around the corner.

On top of these we have the return of two of our favourite red/white blends - Paloma, made of Grenache Noir and Colombard harvested from Adissan just west of Montpellier, and the fantastic M&M, a lithe and aromatic wine based on Mourvèdre and Muscat.

Finally we have a small amount of Jean-Louis’ Brutal from old vines of Carignan planted on schist in Faugères. As should be the spirit with every Brutal cuvée, this is a one-off style of vinification where the grapes were macerated in whole bunches for 9 months. A dense and brooding wine that has settled into itself magnificently.