Rie et Hirofumi Shoji - Vin de France 'Pedres Blanques' - 2022

This is mostly Grenache from head pruned bush vines vines of about 50 years of age planted over the granite and schist soils of the Collioure at around 300 metres above sea level. Like at Clos du Rouge Gorge the grapes were fermented as whole bunches in cuve for around a month then pressed and fed by gravity into old foudres. for 2022, again, Hiro has extended elevage to 18 months which has rendered a fabulous wine in every sense. It is a mountain wine - subtle and perfumed black fruit, flowers, graphite and minerals lead into a palate that is a lace and wonder, they have only made three vintages, this is a young estate but I feel this is the best so far. Andrew Guard, Importer