Maison Ventenac, Pierre

Made from 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc, this is a proper homage to the climatic influence they feel from Bordeaux.

However, this is no Bordeaux-copy, rather it is the essence of a terroir and an expression of Cabernet Sauvignon to be as sooth as possible and in a manner that is as natural as possible - this is natural wine, with no additional sulphur and a fermentation carried out using only indigenous yeasts.

A courageous, but delicious move from the Ramé family; the results are a bright, vibrant and delicious Cabernet (both) that is simultaneously modern and full of integrity. Very classy stuff.

Maison Ventenac is a young and dynamic project based in the vineyards of the Ramé family in Cabardès, north of the city of Carcassonne, at the (fairly wild) west of the Languedoc. Characterised by the split in place between Atlantic and Mediterranean bodies of water, their vineyards are likewise split between the Atlantic (Cabernets, Merlot and Malbec) and the Mediterranean (Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, Cinsault and Mourvedre).

Limestone forms the sub-soil in the best parts of the family's vineyards, together with their dense planting of vines and the relatively wet winters in the region, there is a real sense of excitement for the future of the region. In organic conversion, the rewards for this winery are only beginning to be seen. What we really like about them though is their honesty - they love all that they do, but what they like most is Cabernet Franc - certainly not a Mediterranean grape and the third grape of the Atlantic, this variety seems to really blossom in the hands of the Ramé family.

This sense of discovery, as seen in this finding of Cabernet Franc's place in their vineyards, is present in all they do, from respect to terroir, to the non-use of chemical sprays, to admitting their own prejudices, to celebrating underdog varieties - it's clearly a key part of their success.