Château les Vignals Le Clin d'Oeil 2023 blanc
Le Clin d’Œil 2023 is a distinctive white wine from the Gaillac region in Southwest France. This vintage showcases a native grape variety, careful craftsmanship, and a strong sense of terroir.
VDF
Loin de l'Oeuil
Drink 2024-2029
Serve 10-12°C
Alc. 12%
Although from Gaillac, Le Clin d’Œil is not an AOP wine — it's labeled as Vin de France. This allows greater creative freedom, especially in vinification.
👃 Tasting Profile
Appearance: Deep yellow with golden highlights.
Aromas: Very aromatic — begins with floral notes (acacia, elderflower), moves into ripe white fruit (melon, pear), and finishes with herbal and garrigue (Mediterranean scrub) tones.
Palate: Smooth, generous entry. Fruit-forward with a creamy texture, underpinned by mineral tension. The finish evokes almond milk — elegant and long.
🍽 Food Pairing
Ideal with seafood, veal tartare, white meats, and even blue cheese — its texture and aromatics match rich, umami dishes very well.
🌱 Grape & Vineyard
Grape variety: 100% Loin de l’Œil (also known as Len de l'El), an ancient and rare white variety from the Gaillac region.
Harvest: Handpicked exclusively from one specific plot on the Cordais limestone plateau.
Farming: Certified organic (Ecocert) and biodynamic (Demeter) farming — no chemicals, with emphasis on soil vitality and natural cycles.
🛠 Winemaking
Fermentation: In terracotta amphorae, which encourage gentle oxygen exchange and respect the wine’s purity. No additives.
Aging: After fermentation, the wine is transferred to egg-shaped concrete vats, which keep the fine lees naturally suspended, adding complexity.
Bottling: Aged over the winter and bottled in spring at the estate.
🍇 Vintage Conditions
2023 was a very challenging year: storms, mildew, heavy rainfall, and hail led to up to 40% losses in Gaillac.
However, the vineyard’s resilience under biodynamic cultivation allowed the estate to produce a smaller but high-quality crop.