Henri Milan is a bit of a character. He turned his back on the Baux-de-Provence appellation in 2007 in order to fully express his creativity in the vineyard, just a few kilometres from Domaine Trévallon which took the same path. The very incarnation of la vie en rose, pink is the inviting colour we find everywhere at this domain, representing the lees of the wine and inspiring the vigneron in his work. In the winery, no additives are used aside from a very light dose of sulphites, and there is no fining or filtering in the process. The 15 hectares of vines have been cultivated organically since 2002, and this move towards natural production was inspired by encounters with figures such as Claude Bourguignon, a researcher in agrobiology. His son Théophile helps with sales side of things, and his daughter Emmanuelle is their in-house oenologist. A family affair, therefore, which shows no sign of slowing down, such is the passion that propels the Milans.

Following in the footsteps of his father, who revolutionised the world of Provençal wines by trying his hand at natural vinification, Théophile Milan has surprised us with this cuvée. Le Premier is a single-varietal Pinot Noir, which is a rarity in this Mediterranean region, since this delicate grape usually prefers to grow in fresher terroirs. Nevertheless, the vines are encouraged to soak up the nutrients needed for them to flower in soils rich in alluvial debris from the Quaternary period, sand and gravel. These vines are farmed with care according to the principles of organic farming, with the grapes harvested by hand and meticulously sorted before vinification. This is done with whole bunches and the wine, which is produced in extremely limited quantities, is aged in 600 litre and 225 litre barrels. It is then bottled without prior fining or filtration.
This delightful wine is fleshy and fruity with aromatic, herbaceous notes. Its silky feel is enhanced by a fine, long-lasting minerality.