From: Agenais IGT, France
Blend: 20% Cab Franc and 80% Cab Sauvignon
Taste: This Agenais rosé is produced from younger vines, aged no more than 20 years. The blend is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, making up 80%, complemented with 20% Cabernet Franc. Eric Guido of Vinous’ wine review is spot on, and this gorgeous little rosé is perfect for drinking solo or with bistro fare.
Pairing: Grilled shrimp, fried goat cheese over arugula, or roasted chicken. Picnic fare works beautifully, as well as dishes that incorporate fresh produce like zucchini, corn, and carrots (check out the first recipe below). Additionally, since this vintage has produced a slightly richer style of rosé, the spice component mentioned above opens this wine up to pair with a broader range of dishes. A fricassee of morels, ramps, and spring garlic would be fantastic, as would pâté and pork Rillettes (second recipe shared below) served with mustard and baguette. Saucisson Chaud a La Lyonnaise is an easy fit, as is the Cafe des Federations’ Rabbit with Mustard Sauce.
Zucchini and Carrot Fritters With Yogurt-Mint Dip
By Melissa Clark
Pork Rillettes
By Mark Bittman
About. The rolling landscapes of Southwest France are an enigmatic setting, home to a collection of wines as diverse and distinct as the regions they represent. Agenais resides in this picturesque tableau, an Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP) established in 2011. The IGP is used to signify a particular terroir style within a delineated area, one that is uniquely representative of the region's climate, soil, and topography. Today's exploration focuses on the 2022 Mary Taylor Agenais Rosé made by Christophe Avi, a farmer passionate about biodynamic viticulture.
Agenais covers a significant part of the Lot-et-Garonne area, its vineyards extending outwards from the medieval town of Agen, blanketing the sandy soils borrowed from the expansive Landes Forest (southeast of Bordeaux). Our exploration takes us to the tranquil community of Laplume, located south of the Garonne River.
Christophe Avi has cultivated a biodiverse and deeply regenerative vineyard, sprawling over 20 hectares of land here. Distancing himself from the large co-op of Buzet some three decades ago, Avi found a passion for biodynamic farming. His farming practices eschew chemicals, relying on natural yeast and minimal intervention, thus preserving the authentic aromatics of earth, wet stone, and nuanced fruit.
Avi's commitment to sustainability is evident in his vineyards, rated HVE 3, which indicates a high environmental value. His approach preserves the region's natural balance and biodiversity while enhancing the wines' inherent quality. It's an ethos reflected in his life outside the vineyard, rescuing cats, cooking for his wife, and proving himself to be an all-around kind and decent human.
Wine Specifications:
Size: 750ml
IGP: Agenais
Soil Type: Sand and Limestone
Varieties: 20% Cab Franc and 80% Cab Sauvignon
Age of Vines: 15-20 years
Farming: Sustainable: HVE 3
Alcohol: 12.9%
Barrel Details: Neutral
