Côtes du Roussillon Olivier Pithon Laïs 2016

Lot presentation

Côtes du Roussillon Olivier Pithon Laïs 2016

The wine

This cuvée (named after a cow) combines freshness and vivacity, a pleasure to drink, its fruity character bearing traces of floral notes and a stunning minerality. Maccabeu, Grenache Blanc and Grenache Gris are fermented in new barrels where they stay for 10 months to create this wine. But don’t worry, the wood does not stop the wine from expressing its aromatic freshness. It can be enjoyed young when the fruit shines through or after a few years ageing when its mineral side takes centre stage.

Originally from Anjou, Olivier is the grandson of a winemaker and the younger brother of Jo Pithon, a respected figure in the Coteaux du Layon (whose estate was later acquired by Domaine Belargus). After learning the ropes in the family vineyard and gaining experience in several estates, including a few years in Bordeaux, he chose to settle in the rugged landscapes of Calce in 2001. His vineyard, perched at 300 metres above sea level, is managed with a holistic organic and biodynamic approach. Alongside biodynamic preparations 500 and 501, he replants hedgerows, sows cereals between the rows to encourage permanent cover crops, and introduces animals (especially sheep) into the vineyard from October to April. Olivier Pithon’s wines are authentic, well-balanced, and deeply expressive. Grenache (in all its forms: Noir, Gris, Blanc), Maccabeu, Carignan, and Mourvèdre thrive here, rooted in a patchwork of limestone, marl, and schist soils.