We've just received a top-up on three experimental cuvees from Barouillet! Vincent Alexis derives great joy from these outliers in the range, quietly refining unique wines from his smaller parcels.

We have a trio available now from the bright, bountiful 2021 vintage, when the vines were blessed with good rains and a warm summer. All are strictly no additions. Details below!

O'Ranch is picked from a half hectare of Ondenc, Muscadelle and a little Chenin over limestone, macerated as whole-bunches for three months in amphora before being gently pressed by hand through a small device closely resembling a colander.

Vincent's aim is to macerate for as long as possible before aromatic complexity tips into a pithy phenolic maturity. Relying only on hand pressure helps keep extraction very low.

Another maceration: Truculence, is Vincent's way of dialling in the character of his Sauvignon Blanc, de-stemming and crushing the fruit, macerating for 7 days, raised for 12 months in an equal combination of old barrels and amphora.

The newest of the three, UGNY is particularly special, from a small vineyard of 15 year old Ugni Blanc. It's a variety Vincent is keen to draw attention to: "I really love Ugni Blanc, it's really very well suited to the vintages we're consistently getting here now, (hot & dry) it has low alcohol and good acidity, even when the yields are low. I found it can be really elegant, and aromatic. I love this wine!"

Pressed directly but gently and very slowly, the Ugni blanc is fermented and aged in amphora for 12 months before bottling. Very limited quantities available.