“A wonderful character and a fine wine-maker, Luc de Conti`s exuberant wines reflect his personality. Luc is a true Vinarchiste, looking for purity and intensity, the maximum expression of the potential of the grapes. In the vineyard the soil is nourished with seaweed and silica treatments to encourage microbial activity. According to him the soil is lifeless (“a cadaver”) and it is a fifteen year process to rid the ground of pollutants.
Manual picking and selection of ripe grapes is essential; on the top cuvées there are several tries in the vineyard, and the wine will only be released if it reaches the highest of standards. The blends will also change according to the physiological ripeness of the grapes. This vigneron even riddles the grapes on the vine, giving them a quarter turn (at least that’s what he tells us – difficult to know when you’ve been hoaxed by Luc).
Madness, pertinence or the countenance of sublime perfection?”
Anthologia cuvees are only produced on very best vintages. In 2000, the growing conditions in Bergerac were close to perfection. Luc de Conti has selected grapes grown on limestone slopes, with yields as low as 19 hl per ha. 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% each Malbec and Cabernet Franc. The grapes were fermented in large 500l barriques and the method of extraction used was quite unusual. The barriques were rolled over once a day for eight days. This method was soft and gentle with the grapes. The result is a wine with unbelievable finesse and lenght. The nose is pure, packed with fresh fruit and seeds, the palate is generous, muscular, yet refined and full of soft, ripe plum and black berries. The whole package is perfectly balanced.
"The Margaux of Bergerac" Andrew Jeffords, The new France
