MAISON VENTENAC L’INTRUS CABERNET FRANC 2022

Made from 100% Cabernet Franc grapes with minimal addition of sulfites, matured for 3 months in concrete tanks it’s remarkably vibrant aromatic expression. Again, a juicy berry bomb palate, with the typicity of Cabernet Franc in the background. Violet meets fine tannin. A very easy wine to love.

A ripe expression of Cabernet Franc from the Languedoc. The no nonsense approach and out of the box thinking has made their wines stand out amongst the crowd. This intruder into the world of Cabernet Franc shows why boundaries are made to be broken.

Maison Ventenac is a young and dynamic project based in the vineyards of the Ramé family in Cabardès, north of the city of Carcassonne, at the (fairly wild) west of the Languedoc. Characterised by the split in place between Atlantic and Mediterranean bodies of water, their vineyards are likewise split between the Atlantic (Cabernets, Merlot and Malbec) and the Mediterranean (Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, Cinsault and Mourvedre). Limestone forms the sub-soil in the best parts of the family's vineyards, together with their dense planting of vines and the relatively wet winters in the region, there is a real sense of excitement for the future of the region.

In organic conversion, the rewards for this winery are only beginning to be seen. What we really like about them though is their honesty – they love all that they do, but what they like most is Cabernet Franc – certainly not a Mediterranean grape and the third grape of the Atlantic, this variety seems to really blossom in the hands of the Ramé family. Vermentino from Italy? Well, if it works in their vineyards, why not!

This sense of discovery, as seen in planting non-Mediterranean varieties place in their vineyards, is at the heart of what they appear to do, but if doesn't detract from their respect to terroir, to the non-use of chemical sprays, to admitting their own prejudices – it's clearly a key part of their success."