Massiac Sauvignon Blanc Pays d'Oc 2024

Bernard Boudouresques and his family recently revived this Roman era domaine, planting vineyards and converting the estate to organic viticulture. Production from the estate is now (2012) certified organic. Massiac encompasses 21.5 hectares of vineyards, 8.5 of which produce the Minervois Rouge and 5 of which are the source for the two white wines classified as Vin de Pays d’Oc. The domaine lies at the extreme south of the Massif Centrale, effectively in the gently sloping foothills that lead to the Mediterranean coast which is not terribly distant. The subsoils are essentially limestone and clay with silex and marble infusions, all of which was formed during the Lutecian geologic era. This soil has particularly good drainage which accounts for the superior concentration that Massiac achieves in its wines. As well, the site is exposed both the winds that sweep north from the Mediterranean and the cooling northwest wind coming from the mountains known as Le Cers which consistently dries the vineyard and makes it less vulnerable to the maladies of the vine. At the moment (this is written in early 2012), Massiac bottles approximately 55,000 bottles of wine per annum.

The harvest of the white grapes is conducted in the early morning hours when the weather is still cool so that the beginning moments of fermentation can be closely controlled. The fermentation occurs in tank as does the élevage. The wine rests on the fine lees with occasional batonnage being done before the wine is bottled during the spring following the harvest. The result is a crisp, dry white with distinct Sauvignon varietal character.