RED WINE

Red. Organic. Braucol is more commonly known in southwest France as Fer Servadou (or Mansois in Marcillac). This bottling comes from a parcel of 30- to 35-year-old vines grown on clay and limestone soils. You could think of it as a Gaillac Pinot or Beaujolais with some sappy stems—but of course, it has its own irresistible personality that reflects both this unique grape and its singular terroir. Florent Plageoles now vinifies this wine with 50% carbonic, and the result is all the brighter and more gluggable for it. Yields are kept low, bringing flavour and intensity, and the aging occurs only in cement tanks with no filtration.

This is another vibrant, layered and juicy wine where Asian spice and fennel notes mingle with velveteen wild red berries and a limestone freshness ensuring outstanding balance. Although light on its feet, it does not skimp on flavour and texture. It finishes with accomplishment and class. “Du glouglou pour le printemps” (for glugging in the springtime), says Bernard Plageoles, father of Florent and Romain. But why stop at springtime?

Red. Organic. To be contre-pied is to be diametrically opposed to something. In this case, this carbonic Duras is the opposite of the rustic, sleepy wines associated with this variety (and plenty of Gaillac rouge in general). This wine originates from a block of clay/limestone soil in Cahuzac-sur-Vère. The winemaking takes in a short carbonic maceration followed by six months aging in concrete tank.

Florent Plageoles told us that he felt that Duras grapes would take to the Beaujolais treatment, et voila, Contre Pied has now become a mainstay of the Plageoles roster. Expect crunchy acidity and thirst-quenching satisfaction—sappy red fruits, invigorating and tensile acid and soft grainy tannins surround a plump, cherry-like weight. Hints of dark chocolate and spice round out the steely skeleton. In short, a super delicious and unique carbo-styled red.