Domaine Labbé - 'l'Essential' - Mondeuse - Savoie, FR - 2021

Satellite's Hot Take

A brilliant - purely Savoie expression of Mondeuse that perfectly captures the grape and its flexibility, and capacity for both structure and pleasure. Drink in the mountains, feel the innate chill in the air, a little cool spearmint and licorice root back give a cool breeze to lovely brambly blue and purple fruit tones. The light body gives way to a stony tannin that crumbles like the decomposing slopes these vines come from. A must for cheese plates, all kinds of salads and veggies, and tasty fare. Seriously - try it with an alpine cheese and get lost in this sauce.

Notes from the Winery/Importer

Our first importation of Labbé’s rendition of this classic Savoyard varietal is quite excellent. Deep-coloured, rooty and incisive, it delivers a mouthful of pulsating fruit in a modest alcoholic frame of 12 degrees. We shall see if this tightrope act can be repeated in the warmer vintages that prevail these days. In the meantime, we will gladly take what we are offered. -WineWise Imports

• 100% Mondeuse
• 35+ year old vines
• Grown on limestone slopes
• Aged in older barrels

  Notes on the Producer

  The Savoie region, hard by Lake Geneva, can barely produce enough to meet the demands of winter sports enthusiasts and summer hikers, but we’ve been lucky enough to secure one of its top estates. Abymes, and its slightly better-known neighbor Apremont, produce light, aromatic, exquisitely balanced wines from the Jacquère grape. Cousins Alexandra and Jérôme Labbé keep yields low to extract maximum flavor from this delicate variety, while retaining freshness and sheer pleasure-giving gulpability. Property History: Prior to being a wine estate, this property was used by the previous generation by the family for subsistence farming. Owner History: Alexandra and Jérome took over the estate from their parents in 2004. -WineWise Imports