‘Earthscape’ Franc, Pyren Vineyard

An intense nose you wouldn’t be laughed at if you identified as a vermouth or a cocktail – full of herbs and spices, and berries too.

On the palate this wine is lighter than you’re expecting – rather like the Cabernet Francs of the Loire that we know so well, yet cleaner, more direct, yet deeper and longer. There are notes of morello cherry, blueberry, roses and undergrowth and hints of cacao and white pepper with silky tannins. It’s those tannins, notes of rose and undergrowth that remind us of Nebbiolo.

The Earthscape label is named according to the lie of the land on which Pyren is planted, from the soil structure in its quartz laden mass, to the rolling valleys, and skyward facing peaks. 50 % whole berry and 50% whole bunch carbonic maceration. Wild yeast fermentation. Aged exclusively in 2nd/3rd use Hungarian 500L barrels for 6-8 months.