Who makes it
Eight hectares of vines support Domaine l'Oustal Blanc. The vineyard includes Carignan, Grenache Gris and Grenache Noir, Cinsault, Macabeu and Syrah, all identified as native Languedoc varieties. Prima Donna is the flagship wine, an AOC Minervois La Livinière Rouge blend.
Isabel Cardoso-Fonquerle created the winery with Claude Fonquerle in 2002. Claude had trained in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and then worked as a winemaker in the Côtes-du-Ventoux. Natural agriculture began with the domaine and continues as its farming approach. The partnership and the farming method arrived together at the foundation of the winery.
Where it grows
At La Livinière, Domaine l'Oustal Blanc is in the Minervois appellation of Languedoc. The place name appears in the flagship wine's AOC designation, Minervois La Livinière Rouge. The label joins a village name to the wider Minervois appellation, giving Prima Donna a geographic designation more specific than Minervois alone.
How it is made
The cellar
Grass covers the vineyard soils throughout the year, storing carbon and helping the ground retain water, organic matter and mineral elements needed for vine growth. The domaine uses no herbicides and minimizes copper treatments.
Prima Donna undergoes 24 months of ageing. Grenache is aged in demi muid, a large oak vessel with a gentler wood influence than a standard barrel. Syrah is aged in 228 litre barrels that are three years old, where previous use contributes less new oak flavour. The two grape varieties are aged separately.
What they make
The named cuvées divide the range across flagship, white, blended red and varietal red roles. Prima Donna holds the flagship role. Naïck Blanc is 95% Grenache Gris and 5% Macabeu. Giocoso is 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Carignan, with a ruby garnet colour that develops with ageing. Cuvée K is a 100% Carignan red.
Prima Donna opens with black berries, undergrowth and smoke. Its palate is full bodied and well balanced, with generosity offset by attractive vivacity. Naïck Blanc brings complex floral and almond notes.