L'Enclos des Braves (Nicolas Lebrun) - Duras en Passer Gaillac 2020 750ML (14.0% abv)

Nicolas Lebrun is originally from the Gers regionin Southwest France, an area best known for its Armagnac and duck delicacies. He moved to the banks of the river Tarn in Gaillac with his wife in the mid-nineties and after 10 years working as an oenologist in the area, they bought l’Enclosdes Braves in 2005. A consecration and a dream to become vignerons had come true. Gaillac is an idyllic place to grow grapes, with clay-limestone terroir and a south-eastern exposition. Nicolas also loves endemic grape varieties. From the original 5 ha he has replanted forgotten grape varieties which he now produces as single varietals. On his property you will find Mauzac rose, Loin deL’oeil, Duras, Braucol (local name for Fer Servadou), Prunelart, amongst others.

Duras is a traditional French variety of red wine grape that is mostly grown around the river Tarn, northeast of Toulouse. It is usually blended with other traditional varieties, but production has been declining in recent years.

Despite the name the grape appears to have no connection with the Côtes de Duras east of Bordeaux, and is not grown there today.^[ Nor is there any known link with the Durasa of Piedmont.

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dark fruit and earth, medium plus in body with very food friendly tannins, crunchy and fresh, licorice and violets, improves with 45 mins of air, a great dinner party red if someone is making a roast

region: Gaillac, SW France

varietal: Duras

style: red

farming/cellar: biodynamic, Manual harvest in two successive sortings, long and gentle maceration, ageing for 12 months on lees, in ovoid concrete vats. Total sulphur dioxide in bottle: 28 mg/l.

Production: 2500 bottles

pairing: roast, prime rib, pasta & meatballs, steak frites