Cave Verdier-Logel, Le Volcanique, 2020

Crushed Berry, Mineral, Liquorice

"Volcanique" is from volcanic basalt soils on mountainsides of the Massif Centrale. The grapes undergo a three week whole cluster fermentation followed by ageing in vat. More structured than the Gourmets this shows a more serious side to the grape. More tension and an intense minerality really give this wine backbone and we love it every time it gets released. It's just a shame it never lasts that long.

Notes on the producer

The remote and somewhat unknown Côtes du Forez appellation is located between the Loire and Allier rivers in the center of France. Domaine Verdier-Logel is the leading estate of this small and obscure appellation where vineyards are few and far between. The Côtes du Forez hillsides are foothills of the volcanic mountains of the Massif Central and have soils of granite and volcanic composition. Due to the difficult climate only parcels with the best exposition and soils are planted to grapevines. The appellation’s laws mandate Gamay as the sole grape to be used and Verdier-Logel produces separate wines from volcanic soils and granite soils. These soils impart a rich earthy fragrance to the wines which combines well with the elegant fruitiness of the gamay grape.