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~ "A gorgeous dry white" - Bordeaux Blanc Sec is Back ... though did it ever truly go out of style? ~
Chateau Hostens-Picant
Sainte-Foy, Cotes de Bordeaux
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“Back to school for some, back to basics for others.
School is in session and today’s lesson is one in value and classicism; the teacher? A sternly authoritative figure rooted in clay-limestone soils.
Chateau Hostens-Picant is an outlier, a serious estate in the backwaters of the Cotes de Bordeaux,
“Innovation, interest, and landscape draw attention to this, the eastern end of the Bordeaux region. Ste-Foy has excellent white wines, but it’s a paradox that all the variety comes from liberal winemaking rules - red, white and sweet are allowed here … ”
Inside Bordeaux — Jane Anson
In essence, those lucky enough to have a Chateau nestled amongst the hills, inland here, while not blessed with the ‘big name terroir’ may produce wine in a variety of colours all while adhering to appellation rules. Further, just because the terroir is not ‘big name’ does not mean the soil composition, aspect, or microclimatic siting does not match many a fine property in the Medoc.
The famille Hostens-Picant purchased their property, their now eponymous Chateau, the in 1986 and are firmly established with fully mature vines making fine wines. There are two factors why we in Australia should pay attention:
i) Overall, the value prospect here (Ste.-Foy, generally) is high: the wines easily drink comparable to their more famous Medoc counterparts, potentially even next to classified estates at the lower order … with fractional pricing. Agebility: fantastic; and
ii) the white produced here (Chateau Hostens-Picant, specifically) is unique. The blend? Normal. It is the terroir that is special, precisely: a very rare line of weathered flint soils soil that runs beneath the vines. There is almost shocking minerality present, consequently, in the blanc; very bracing. Enthusiasts of Chablis and other mineral whites will find here what they have been craving … especially after a spate of warm vintages (and price rises!) have robbed the affordable wines of their typicity.
Buy and drink up. I certainly will be … but then again, did you expect any less? I paid attention in class for sure …
… indeed for those of you craving the now ‘trendy’ Mount Mary ‘Triolet’ but unwilling to pay the high premium should look no further than the below blanc. Correct soils, correct varietals; old world charm.
— David
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~ please note : discounts are automatically applied at the digital check-out! ~
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Chateau Hostens-Picant 2019 Sainte-Foy-Bordeaux 'Cuvee des Demoiselles'
(Shelf Price: $79.00)
Offer: $65.00 (20%-off)
“A full yet brilliant green-gold to the eye, this charming Ste-Foy blanc bursts from the glass with aromas of tarragon, elderflower, fresh yellow peach, and crushed stones. Indeed, this mineral note seems to be both the ‘core’ and the ‘wrapping’ to the aromatic profile; everything is bound by it and lodestone like it also leads one back to the centre. Faint touches of quince, dried honey, and mango add complexity. None of this prepares the imbiber for the palate, which is creamy and silken on opening before it positively explodes with coiled energy, bright acidity, and fine crushed-stone minerality. The finish: long and elegantly creamy, with a savoury close; framed by gently tugging phenolics and savoury nuances. I would give a run down of precise flavours but I keep finishing my glass based on the palate presence alone. Concentrating, one can expect further elderflower, mango, and peach; citrus peels; dabs of anise and stem ginger; and plenty of stone! The white equivalent of saying: old
school claret. Approach with caution, or turbot. Very fine.”
— David
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“The 2019 Cuvee de Demoiselles is a gorgeous dry white. Apricot, ginger, tangerine, dried flowers and tropical inflections from the Muscadelle in this blend give this creamy, textured white tons of complexity. Aging in 400 litre barrels works well in preserving freshness. The 2019 is impeccably done.”
93pts — Antonio Galloni, vinous.com
Order here
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Chateau Hostens-Picant 2017 Sainte-Foy-Bordeaux
(Shelf Price: $84.00)
Offer: $70.00 (20%-off)
“The 2017 Hostens-Picant is fabulous. Dark cherry, plum, chocolate, spice, grilled herb and vanillin all race out of the glass in a sumptuous, exuberant wine endowed with tremendous depth and personality. In 2017, all of the lower-lying parcels frosted, so the wine was made only from vineyards on the plateau, which goes a long way to explaining its overall quality. The estate did not bottle its top selection Lucullus (which did not frost) and instead added that fruit into the straight wine. This is the best vintage of Hostens-Picant I can remember tasting. Sadly, yields are down 60%.”
92pts — Antonio Galloni, vinous.com
Order by reply email here
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Please join us for a drink soon. Reservations preferred.
Bookings and after-6.00pm access: (03) 9419 3867
Tue. 11.00 am–6.00 pm
Wed.–Sat. 11.00 am–11.00 pm
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If you would like any of the above, would like to come by for a private appointment, or just have some questions — please let us know.