2022 MOONAMBEL QUARTZ BIANCO

2022 Quartz Bianco 
 
This is one of my favourite sites to work with, there’s only one white varietal grown on this property & that would be Sauvignon Blanc. Tended by Geoff & Julie Mullen in Moonambel, Pyrenees. It’s a beautiful south facing slope, row orientation north-south, surrounded by disorganised chaos in the best kind of way. Sitting at 330m altitude & planted with clone F4V6. This is a very good vineyard, in a very unique location hidden away from the passerby’s, slightly off the beaten track, you’d never know it existed. 100% dry farmed solely relying on rainfall, heavy quartz & Ironstone over red/grey clays, minimal top soil. 
Very simple winemaking, All whole bunch pressed straight to stainless, the juice is left to ferment on its own with zero additions. Left to rest on full lees for 11 months then bottled. Every year this wine always has an incredible structure, salivating acid, bright & glossy, but the tannin structure is wild, kind of like licking one of those gnarly quartz rocks out in the vineyard. A few seasons ago on dusk while sampling for a harvest date, I was so intrigued that I kneeled down to lick one one of these large white rocks & I can attest that it is true the tannin feels somewhat similar to what is in the wine.
 
Ned Goodwin MW
www.jamessuckling.com
LATTA PYRENEES MOONAMBEL
QUARTZ BIANCO G & J MULLENS
2022
Score: 95 Points
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
Straight, lighter-weighted sauvignon borne of quartz over ironstone, over clay. This is Cotat, meets maker Owen Latta, meets local turf. Masterful! A minimally invasive style tuned to perfection. Cidery aromas of pear and apple. Lanolin, dried heather, nettle, Japanese pickle and a sumptuous waft of curry powder across the long, compelling finish. Rivets of skin contact, welded to a torque of juicy acidity. Wow! May be worth another point. Drink or hold.