2023 Maison des Ardoisieres Silice Blanc

Nestled in the French Alps near Chambéry, the Savoie region was once a thriving wine-producing area with 20,000 hectares under vine. Today, only 3,000 hectares remain, with much of the replanting occurring on flatter, machine-friendly terrain at the cost of quality. However, in 1998, a group led by Denis Perroux and pioneering biodynamic winemaker Michel Grisard revived the abandoned Coteau de Cevins, a historic slope once renowned for its wines. Replanted with traditional Savoie varieties and cultivated biodynamically, it quickly reclaimed its reputation as one of France's most exciting vineyard sites.

Domaine des Ardoisières was established to champion this unique terroir, with Brice Omont taking the helm in 2005 to continue Grisard's vision. The dramatic 60% inclines of Cevins are planted with a mix of native grapes, including Persan, Mondeuse Noire, Altesse, Roussanne, Mondeuse Blanche, Malvoisie, and Jacquère. With meticulous vineyard work and extremely low yields, the wines from this site—Quartz, Schiste, and Améthyste—express the depth and energy of the region's metamorphic soils. Every step, from cultivation to vinification, is shaped by the contours of the land, reinforcing the estate's commitment to purity and place.

Beyond Cevins, Omont expanded the Domaine in 2008, planting on the limestone and schist-rich slopes of St Pierre de Soucy. This site gives rise to the Argile cuvées, offering a different expression of Savoie through Gamay, Mondeuse Noire, Persan, Jacquère, Chardonnay, and Mondeuse Blanche. In 2015, he further expanded with the highly regarded Silice cuvée, made from exceptional Jacquère plantings. Today, Domaine des Ardoisières stands at the forefront of Savoie’s resurgence, crafting wines that capture both the raw Alpine energy and the meticulous craftsmanship behind this remarkable Domaine.

Silice is 100% Jacquere planted on schist and clay that yields as a plush and mineral white wine that is incredibly light on its feet for an expression that has such intensity of flavour and texture. This is a compelling bottle of wine that speaks of its alpine origin, echoing its terraced vineyards with its bold, stony and mineral character.