# Maison Blanche Cease and Desist (2023)

- **Producer:** Vignobles Despagne-Rapin
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Cabernet Franc, Merlot
- **Region:** Bordeaux, France
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €33
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 12–15 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** redcurrant, cherry, plum, liquorice

## About this wine

Maison Blanche Cease and Desist is a Vin de France produced by Nicolas Despagne of Vignobles Despagne-Rapin in Bordeaux. Located in Montagne-Saint-Émilion on the Right Bank, the estate has a rich winemaking history dating back three centuries and converted to certified organic and biodynamic viticulture in the 2000s. The playful name stems from legal warning letters received from a major film mogul over previous label names. Reimagining historic Bordeaux Clairet, this cuvée reflects a natural, low-intervention approach to crafting lively, terroir-driven wines.

## Interesting facts

- The cheeky name originated after winemaker Nicolas Despagne received legal warnings from a film mogul over earlier wine names.
- The estate has been Demeter-certified biodynamic since 2013 and organic since 2006, with vines averaging 45 years of age.
- In a previous vintage, the wine was bottled without a front label at all to evade intellectual property disputes.

## Food pairing

This light-bodied, fresh red wine with vibrant acidity and subtle tannins pairs excellently with savory, rich dishes like cured meats, wood-fired pizzas, and roasted pork. Its fine-grained tannins avoid harsh bitterness, while the high acidity cuts through richness cleanly.

## Wine making process

The 2023 vintage is crafted predominantly from hand-harvested Cabernet Franc with a small proportion of Merlot. Winemaking follows natural principles using indigenous yeasts for spontaneous fermentation without temperature control or additives. Approximately 95% of the Cabernet Franc undergoes direct pressing, blended with short-macerated Merlot red wine for subtle color. The wine aged for up to 18 months in neutral French oak barrels and vats, bottled unfined and unfiltered with a minimal addition of sulfur dioxide around 10 ppm.