Baron de Badassière
Baron de Badassière is from the Picpoul de Pinet region of the Languedoc,...
near the coast of the south of France. The name of the wine refers to the Badassière vineyard which lies near the small town of Pomerols. In the 18th century, the vineyard belonged to Baron Charles Emmanuel, a colourful character who was rumoured to be the illegitimate son of King Louis XV. The wines are made exclusively for Liberty by New Zealand winemaker Graeme Paul, with consultant Matt Thomson, at the Cave de Pomerols cooperative where the Vignes de L'Eglise range is also produced. This region benefits from a sunny, warm climate which encourages ripe, fruity flavours in the wines, while the coastal breezes help retain freshness and aromatics.
Vineyards
The grapes for this wine come from selected vineyards around the Etang de Thau, planted on clay and limestone soils.
Vintage Information
2016 was a late ripening vintage, marked by significant drought; a lack of rain in both winter and summer was confounded by severe evaporation caused by hot, windy conditions with practically no precipitation from mid-June onwards. The few days of rain in September relieved the vines of severe water stress, which was essential for making great wines.
Vinification
The grapes arrived in the winery in the early morning and were macerated on the skins for a few hours, then pressed by pneumatic press. The must was cold settled and then fermented at controlled temperatures of between 14-18°C for 16 days. No oak was used and the wine was bottled early to retain freshness and delicate aromatics.
Tasting Notes
Pale lemon in colour with a youthful rim. Crisp apple aromas are complemented with a citrus edge. On the palate, it has attractive weight, with a good balance of ripe, yellow plums and greengages and a fresh lime zest acidity that continue through the finish.
Vintage Information
| Vintage | 2016 |
| Grape varieties | 100% Picpoul |
| Region | Eastern Languedoc, Languedoc |
| Winemaker | Graeme Paul |
| Alcohol (ABV) | 12.5% |
| Acidity | 6.44g/l |
| Residual Sugar | 0.8g/l |
| Wine pH | 3.17 |
Trade customers
Liberty Wines customers can order this wine directly from us.