La Montagne Sacree 2023 is a natural wine crafted by La Sorga, in the Languedoc region in France. This orange wine is made with Grenache Blanc and Picpoul grapes.
Grown on Villafranchian deposits over basaltic bedrock in Pézenas, in the Hérault Valley, this cuvée blends two varieties macerated separately to bring out their best: the Grenache for structure, the Picpoul for tension.
The Grenache is fully destemmed and macerated for 24 days, the Picpoul for 21 days; both are then aged together for 9 months in tank on lees, with no added sulphites. 1800 bottles produced. The name and label is in reference to cult film The Sacred Mountain, partially funded by the Beatles with the experimental director being a friend of theirs
We really enjoyed this unique skin-contact wine! We found it to be slightly smokey with touches of eucalyptus Vacarub, orange zest, sweet spices, grapefruit, pear and preserved lemon. An orange wine with attitude and not what you might expect. Very cool indeed for an adventurous experience.
Who is Anthony Tortul and La Sorga?
Antony Tortul's La Sorga winery is one of the most cult operations in the Languedoc.
He started out buying grapes from local organic growers he trusted and has been doing it long enough that he now has some of his own vines too.
For those unaware, he was one of the original founders of the Brutal!!! label, alongside Escoda Sanahuja, Mendall and Rémi Poujol… in fact he was the one who designed the iconic label himself the very same night the whole thing came together, and that was after more than a whole night's drinking!
Graphic design is clear in all of his labels, including this one La Montagne Sacree 2023 which references a cult film character from “The Scared Mountain”. Hence the name. Perhaps it pairs well with the movie, we have not seen it, but found a nice clip on Youtube.
La Sorga wines are raw, energetic and completely their own thing - no added sulphites and full of expression.
