Etraz 2023, Vin de Savoie Ayze Domaine du Gringet | Savoie

Domaine du Gringet 's Vin de Savoie Ayze "Etraz" occupies a singular position among Domaine du Gringet's white wines. Made from the native Gringet grape variety, this cuvée draws its character from the Vers Etraz locality, on south-facing limestone scree in the area between Ayze and Bonneville, at an altitude of almost 450 meters. The strong thermal variations that characterize the Savoyard climate give Gringet a slow ripeness, a salivating tension and an expressive minerality typical of the Vin de Savoie Ayze appellation. Heir to Dominique Belluard, the wine estate perpetuated by Vincent Ruiz and his team cultivates its vines according to the principles of organic viticulture, with a conversion to biodynamic viticulture. The same care is applied in the cellar, where gentle winemaking is carried out using natural fermentation in ovoid concrete vats, with prolonged ageing on the lees, without fining or filtration, to preserve the expressive minerality of the terroir.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin : This Vin de Savoie Ayze "Etraz " from Domaine du Gringet seduces with its crystalline elegance and saline tension, with a precision of terroir rare in Savoie. Its verticality and freshness are reminiscent of the greatest Alpine whites, yet it's accessible right away. Its mineral, luminous profile, capable of gaining in complexity over the years, places it among the essential cuvées of Domaine du Gringet, in tribute to the visionary spirit of Dominique Belluard.

The nose opens discreetly with a refined expression of candied lemon, white peach, dawn flower and gentian, with a hint of slightly iodized oyster shell. The mineral presence is clear, evoking damp chalk and Alpine freshness with an aromatic finesse typical of Ayze whites.

On tasting, the attack is clean and crystal-clear, revealing a fine, dense, taut body carried by perfectly controlled saline acidity. The aromatic palette evolves towards notes of tangerine, ripe melon and citrus zest, while a delicate vegetal touch adds depth and finesse. The balance between ripeness and mineral tension is remarkable, and continues right through to the remarkably long, precise finish.