Chat Fou 2022

Fresh – Fruity – Moreish – Versatile

Chat Fou has become a perennial favourite Côtes du Rhône on our lists. Predominantly grenache noir with parcels of marsanne, clairette, and chasselas adding to the assemblage, from old vines planted in the ‘60s and ‘70s on varied limestone, quartz, clay and granitic soils. There’s native ferment and a short maceration in concrete, then a gentle pressing and a year's rest back in concrete. There’s no fining or filtration. 

Chat Fou is known by its freshness, with notes of soft red and purple fruit with minerality and texture on the palette, it is true to its location and the tannins are nicely grippy. A pleasurable glass indeed, as a light red should be but with serious backbone.

On a wet night many years ago Trevor turned up in Brézème in the northern Rhône valley to meet Eric and Laurent (check spelling, feminine), co-incidentally wine writer Alice Feiring was there too joining them in the kitchen. He remembers the damp night and having supper in the Texiers’ new (old!) surroundings and indeed, their new world, something of the pioneer spirit in the air too, challenges ahead! Twenty years later that is all history, their reputation assured, and Eric is a leading vigneron in the Northern Rhone and a champion of things biodynamic.   

Winemaker: Eric Texier

Region: Rhone

Appellation: Vin De France

Grape: Grenache, Cinsault, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Chasselas

Viticulture: Organic, Biodynamic

ABV: 12.5%

Bottle: 75cl