Domaine de l'Ecu Mephisto 2022
£32.40 (Inc. VAT bot. 75 cl.) / North Ireland
Features
Type of wine
Pairings
Style
Occasions
Winery
Size
Appellation
Alcohol
12.0%
Grapes
Serving
Between 16ºC and 18ºC
Winemaking
Aged for 15 months in amphorae and old oak barrels.
Description
Domaine de L'Ecu Mephisto, one of the purest and most radical interpretations of Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley, is born in the granite heart of the Loire Valley. This French biodynamic wine is an essential reference for lovers of mineral and elegant red wine. The winery, a pioneer in organic agriculture since 1975 and certified biodynamic (Demeter) since 1998, conceives this wine as a manifesto: to intervene as little as possible so that the vines can speak with total clarity. The plot, of just 0.8 hectares facing south-east and set on granite subsoil, is worked with tillage, leaf removal and rigorous manual selection. The low yields, around 30 hl/ha, aim for natural concentration and precision. Here we do not tame the variety; we accompany it.
Winemaking
At Domaine de L'Ecú Mephisto, the grapes are harvested 100% by hand and enter the winery by gravity, without pumping, preserving the integrity of the fruit. After destemming, the must ferments exclusively with indigenous yeasts and macerates for 12 days, with measured extraction to avoid any excess. The pneumatic pressing is gentle and respectful. Ageing lasts 15 months in amphorae, a choice that allows micro-oxygenation without adding external aromas, refining the texture without marking the varietal profile. There is no fining or filtration, and no sulphur dioxide is added. Bottling captures the wine at its most authentic, direct and vibrant.
Taste
In Domaine de l'Ecu Mephisto, the nose is broad and expressive, dominated by black fruit and small red fruits: blackberry, ripe strawberry and redcurrant, accompanied by a hint of white pepper and mild spices. On the palate the entry is silky, almost enveloping, but the mineral tension of the granite quickly emerges. The centre of the mouth is firm and precise, with tannins that are still young, tight but velvety. There is volume and depth without heaviness.
The fruit is chiselled, crisp, with delicate earthy undertones and a slight hint of noble vegetation, typical of great Cabernet Franc from the Loire. The acidity adds energy and lengthens the finish towards a spicy, lingering finish. A wine that will gain in harmony with a year or two of cellaring and promises to evolve elegantly over the next decade.
Shipping to North Ireland
50% discount on orders over £348.64Estimated transit time: 4-5 working days.
| Bottles | Price | Over £348.64 |
|---|---|---|
| 1-6 | £11.24 | £5.62 (-£5.62) |
| 7-12 | £15.25 | £7.63 (-£7.63) |
| 13-18 | £21.35 | £10.68 (-£10.68) |
| 19-24 | £29.20 | £14.60 (-£14.60) |
| 25-30 | £33.90 | £16.95 (-£16.95) |
| 31-36 | £37.91 | £18.96 (-£18.96) |
| 37-42 | £45.76 | £22.88 (-£22.88) |
| 43-48 | £50.12 | £25.06 (-£25.06) |
| 49-54 | £56.61 | £28.30 (-£28.30) |
| 55-60 | £60.84 | £30.42 (-£30.42) |
| VAT included | ||
