WINERY Michel Laroche was one of the pioneers in the resurgence of quality winemaking in the south of France in the early 1980s. In 1996, he created Mas La Chevalière, a state-of-the-art winery on the grounds of a splendid 18th-century guesthouse, with the goal of producing wines that truly reflect the diversity of the Southern French varietals, climate and terroir.

WINE A pure expression of Sauvignon Blanc signed by Laroche. Sauvignon Blanc is a variety that grows well on the Languedoc hills, neither too close nor too far from the sea. The Sauvignon characteristics are those revealed during the alcoholic fermentation such a box tree, blackcurrant bud, grapefruit or passionfruit.

Vineyards around Béziers. Mas la Chevalière has developed long-standing partnerships with growers and works with them all year long.

2023 was marked by a drought, especially in Hérault, Audois coast, and Pyrénées Orientales. However, Mas partnership areas (Limoux, northern Hérault, and Gard) were spared. Harvest began on 16 August 2023, early morning with Chardonnays. Pre-harvest temperatures, cool nights, and moderate days, retained grape acidity. Despite midAugust heat, our responsive team (night harvesting, plot selections) and cold-pressing maximized juice potential. Our cool, high-altitude terroirs shone, with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir offering diverse aromas. Overall, 2023 produced homogeneous wine qualities: fine balance in whites and good concentration in reds, respecting grape variety expression.

Whole brunches crushed in pneumatic press, then 48 hours settling at 12-15°C to allow aromas to be leached in the must. 21 days of fermentation at 15°C in stainless steel tanks. Aged for 4 months in stainless steel.

The 2023 Sauvignon Blanc has a brilliant pale yellow color with green highlights. The nose reveals notes of lemon, citrus fruit and gooseberry. The palate reveals a lively, nervous freshness.