2016 Jeff Carrel "Sous La Montagne" Fitou, Languedoc, France50% Carignan 27% Syrah 23% Grenache Sous la Montagne (Below the Mountain) is a new project from winemaker Jeff Carrel and his associate Sebastien Calduch. This range of estate bottled and ngociant wines is sourced from top sites in the Roussillon and western Languedoc, showcasing the pure, unadorned fruit from old vines planted in brilliant granite and schist based terroirs.

One varietal that benefits greatly from this is Pinot Meunier which the Billecarts believe is a vital component in world class champagnes

and a hot summer with mildew and sunburn risks

Later she became winemaker at the acclaimed Sloan Estate and Blankiet and is currently winemaker at Checkerboard Vineyards and consulting winemaker at Vineyard 7 & 8

The fruit is sourced from estate vineyards in the hamlet of Bastonica in the Vittoria area

In the 1970s

The palate is gently off-dry and flows through to a satisfying finish

aged in tonneaux (This is a thin barrel or with a capacity of 300-750 liters) of French oak

bench lands and valley floor vineyards

Little did they know that the rolling

Aged for seven months in amphorae followed by 2-3 months in concrete tanks

Estate grown sustainably farmed

5ha spread out over sixty-five parcels on the northeastern edge of the Montagne de Reims