Julien Courtois, Originel 2020

Julien Courtois ‘Originel’ 2020 is a distinctive, low‑intervention white wine that showcases the rare Romorantin grape in its purest form. Crafted in the Loire from organically farmed vines, it offers a textured, characterful expression far removed from mainstream whites. This cuvée pays homage to one of the Loire’s forgotten varieties, revived by a new generation of growers who champion authenticity and terroir over convention.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Originel 2020 typically shows a deep lemon to light golden hue, reflecting both the grape’s natural concentration and Courtois’ minimal‑intervention approach. The nose is complex and evolving: notes of ripe orchard fruit (baked apple, pear), quince and preserved lemon mingle with hints of chamomile, honeycomb, wet stone and a subtle oxidative nuttiness, depending on bottle age and aeration. On the palate, the wine is structured and layered, with Romorantin’s hallmark acidity cutting through a generous, almost waxy texture. Flavours of yellow apple, citrus peel, mirabelle plum and dried herbs are underscored by saline minerality and gentle spice. The finish is long, savoury and slightly phenolic, making this as much a gastronomic white as a contemplative one. With its concentration, acidity and natural structure, Originel 2020 has solid aging potential over the next 5–8 years, developing more honeyed, nutty and tertiary notes with time in bottle.

Production
Originel is produced from Romorantin vines rooted in the sandy, siliceous and clay‑rich soils of the Loire, a terroir that brings both tension and depth to this naturally expressive grape. Julien Courtois farms his vineyards organically, often with biodynamic inspirations, and harvests by hand at optimal ripeness to ensure healthy fruit and precise selection. In the cellar, he follows a low‑intervention philosophy: native yeasts for spontaneous fermentation, gentle pressing, and élevage in neutral vessels (often older barrels or large casks) to avoid masking the grape’s character. Minimal or no fining and filtration, along with very low sulphur additions, allow the wine to retain its texture, energy and distinctive sense of place.

Food & Serving
This is a serious food wine that shines alongside rich, savoury dishes. Try it with roasted poultry, free‑range chicken in cream sauce, veal blanquette, or pork loin with herbs. It also pairs beautifully with buttery white fish, river fish, scallops, and more powerful shellfish preparations, as well as earthy vegetable dishes, aged goat’s cheese and hard cheeses from the Loire. Serve Originel 2020 at around 10–12°C (50–54°F); a brief decant of 20–30 minutes helps the aromatics open and smooths the initial edge of acidity and structure.

Producer
Julien Courtois is part of the second generation of the Courtois family, long known in natural wine circles for their pioneering work in the Loire. Working from his estate in the lesser‑known central Loire, he focuses on rare and heritage varieties, including Romorantin, championing low yields, meticulous organic farming and artisanal cellar work. His wines have become benchmarks for those seeking authentic, unpolished expressions of Loire terroir and have helped elevate the region’s reputation among lovers of natural and minimal‑intervention wines worldwide.

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