Why it matters
The producer
The grapes are hand harvested and strictly sorted before Champagne style middle press extraction at Abbotts & Delaunay. Middle press extraction uses a selected central portion of the pressing, after the first flow and before the hardest fraction. Each wine ages in French barriques, larger oak, amphora or stainless steel based on its needs. Oak brings wood contact and gradual oxygen exposure; stainless steel brings no oak contact; amphora changes the vessel without adding oak.
Jeanne Delaunay leads the family’s Languedoc operation. She gained professional experience in Burgundy, Sonoma and Australia before taking the role.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Marseillette is a village near Carcassonne, and the winery is located there. Pays d’Oc and VdP d’Oc appear on bottles in the range, while Métairie d’Alon Pinot Noir Le Village and Métairie d’Alon Chardonnay Le Village carry the Métairie d’Alon name in their titles. Regional names appear alongside the named Métairie d’Alon wines.
Wines to know
The range in view
Abbotts & Delaunay’s red bottles include Carignan Vieilles Vignes and Métairie d’Alon Pinot Noir Le Village. White wines include Métairie d’Alon Chardonnay Le Village, Métayage Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Abbotts & Delaunay Orange is another named bottle.
Carignan Vieilles Vignes has a deep, dark red colour and aromas of dark plum, berry, black olive, baking and pepper spice. The palate is supple and smooth, with velvety tannins. Chardonnay Les Fruits Sauvages 2020 combines round, buttery, toasty richness with vibrant notes of white flower and apple.