Les Cocus

From a 0.6ha parcel situated between Montbenault and Les Aussigouins - perhaps the two best sites in the area. Planted in 1958, this parcel sits right at the top of the hill. The vines are grown on a grey schist bedrock, and there isn’t much topsoil. Certified biodynamic. This was the first parcel they harvested in 2022, to retain freshness and acidity. Spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Aged in new Alsatian foudre, then in tank for a number of months before bottling. Not fined or filtered. 12.5%

Les Cocus is a bit tighter on opening, so I recommend a decant. More focused and linear than L'Esprit Libre, with higher acidity. As it warms it shows beeswax, pears, honey, intense mineral notes and apple tart on the nose. The texture loosens and becomes golden, with plenty of freshness bridged together by gentle salinity. Bright and perky in its youth, it’s one to decant, or age for a bit longer to let it truly reveal itself. It has great material to become a sensational wine. Liquid golden honey with sweet lemon, apple, acacia and cream, before the racy acidity kicks in. So much drive and tension, with flavours that linger on the long finish. Stunning.

- Importer, Ryan Larkin