Domaine Gayda ~ Figure Libre Freestyle Blanc 2017

 

The team at Domaine Gayda has great connections with Boekenhoutskloof in Franschhoek, producers of the famous Chocolate Block wine and their lovely Semillon both off which I stock. Gayda's winemaker, Vincent Chansault, used to work there and Boekenhoutskloof winemaker, Marc Kent, is a Non-Executive Director of Domaine Gayda helping "...with advice and motivation.... and a fanatical approach to quality." And it shows as all their wines are well made using organic principles (now certified organic) and minimal intervention.

"Figure Libre Freestyle is the name given to an ambitious range of wines designed to shake up conventions and break new ground for expressing the inherent style of Languedoc and Roussillon. Turning its back on appellation rules, it favours freedom of choice in terms of varietal range, both single varietals and blends. Figure Libre Freestyle reflects a desire to think outside the box and bring together grape varieties that would otherwise never have met in the same bottle.

Deep gold colour, very aromatic, with hints of stone fruit and honeysuckle. A rich full bodied wine with real depth, weight and concentration and a hint of oak to add further complexity. A lot of personality. Approachable now but will continue to develop and improve over the next 5 years."

"Wide open, generous, peaches and oranges nose. Spice and cream and packed with fruit and mouth-watering freshness. Fills all the corners and quite a bit of depth and texture. Quite scrumptious, lengthened by the salty finish, and all that at just 12.5%. Bravo! GV"  GV = good value

"Complex aroma that is more scented than I expected, ripe pears, a touch of spice, clementine and a creamy impression from the lees. On the palate, a slight grain like fresh pears but also a depth of creamy texture from the lees. Although it is not particularly intense, it is full of flavour and yet with very modest alcohol. Bone dry, chewy and fresh on the finish. Very moreish, with a savouriness that increases the freshness since none of these varieties has particularly marked acidity. Should age well but it's delicious now."