Domaine Henri Milan ‘La Saco Noblo Irago’ Vin de France 2011

A wonderful, strange, delicious elixir that is oxidative and full of flavor and intensity. Super natural, native yeast, open top aging and some sorcery, will remind you of Sherry but from Provence.

La Saco comes from the city of Eyragues also called “Pays de la Saco” (Country of La Saco) where every inhabitant always carries a bag. Average age of vines: 17 years old Vinification: Directly pressed // Fermentation in stainless steel vats when a protected veil starts to developed // Ageing for 1 year in stainless steel vats and 4 years in bottle // Oxidative wine due to the “voile protecteur” (protector veil) and also the grape variety Grenache which tends to be quite oxidative. Alcohol: 15.5%

Nestled at the foothills of Les Alpilles the story of Domaine Milan started in 1955. In 1986, Henri Milan took over with the ambition of making the best possible wine with respect to the environment. The Domain includes 10 ha planted with Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Grenache Blanc, Chardonnay, Roussanne, Rolle, Muscat.

In the mid 90s his encounter with Claude Bourguignon (famous microbiologist) and Claude Courtois (Domaine Les Cailloux du Paradis) helped and convinced him to further enhance the identity of his great terroir and ameliorate his winemaking.

Since 2000, Henri has made wine based on their origins blue marl on limestone and yellow sandstone. The reds such Le Papillon or Le CLOS have gained in elegance and freshness thanks to shorter macerations with whole clusters and natural vinification. The famous cuvee Grand Blanc, his blend of all his white grapes, shows more tension and salinity.

Since 2014, Tho, Henri’s son, and his wife Nathalie have joined the estate and brings a new lease of life, crafting elegant wines, using no chemicals, no additives, no commercial yeasts and, in some cases, no added sulphur.