Eric Texier - Crazy Cat 2022
Eric Texier 's estate is located in Charnay, in the Rhone Valley. Eric Texier is a former nuclear engineer who converted to wine, starting with an internship at Guffens in 1993. He vinified his first wines in 1995. The estate is established on two very distinct terroirs: Brézème in the Drôme (left bank of the Rhone) and in the Ouvèze valley in Ardèche (right bank), today operated by his son Martin who has also set up there. These two sectors are clearly identified on the Rhone wine maps but almost forgotten due to their confidential surface area and geographical isolation. The 12-hectare estate has been run using certified organic farming since the beginning, and the agricultural methods are geared towards agroecology. The winemaking style is traditional and very minimalist: indigenous yeasts, whole bunch macerations, no sulfiting, no inputs, no filtration, no fining.
Chat Fou is a blend of Grenache (55%) and Cinsault (30%) supplemented by white grape varieties (Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne) . The grapes come from granite and gneiss hillsides on the north bank of the Ouvèze valley in Adèche. The harvest is partially destemmed and fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts in open concrete vats. Aging lasts 12 to 18 months , in concrete vats on fine lees.
Grape varieties: 55% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 15% Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Marsanne
