Introducing Le Gros (Laurent Billard)
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When François Écot first introduced us to the wines of Laurent Billard aka “Le Gros” he made it clear that on tasting we wouldn’t be able to avoid the certain temptation to ensure that we made space for the wines in our portfolio. He wasn’t wrong, when it comes to new and exciting wine François rarely is.
Le Gros is a southerner, who found himself in northern Burgundy chasing a career in winemaking. For years he has worked alongside the famed Nicolas Vauthier of Vini Viti Vinci, helping in the cellar to produce the wonderful range of mostly Burgundian négoce wines the name has become synonymous with. A few years ago Le Gros was given the opportunity, the space and some barrels to produce some wine of his own, in Nicolas’ cellar, where Laurent continues to produce his range of wines, he creates wines that are distinctly Burgundian with grape varieties from his native southern terroir, a showcase of Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah and more recently Gamay.
Laurent bought his refrigerated truck, which he uses to transport grapes from the organically farmed vines of David Teyssier (Domaine Gressac). He produces these with no intervention, ferments either carbonic or semi-carbonic and ages in oak. Production is tiny and we’ve taken everything we could get hold of, which isn’t a lot.
Stocks are limited and sales will be strictly first come first served.
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