Domaine des Cinq Autels Cidre Demi-Sec (4.7% ABV, 750ml). A cidery in Normandy (Département Calvados) that has been growing organic apples since 1967. Local fruit, no sweeteners, no colouring.
Pours a medium hazy bright gold with a small white head. Aroma is ripe apples, farmyard funk, yeast, with some acidity. Medium body and moderate to lively carbonation. Plenty going on on the palate: ripe, slightly tart apples, plenty of barnyard funk, fruit esters, yeast. The funk gets stronger towards the finish, with medium tannic bitterness. apple cores, lemon, leading into an aftertaste of slightly mouldy ripe apples, yeast, and ongoing bitterness.
Superb traditional cider that checks all the boxes. With a little less carbonation it would be a perfect 10. 9.5/10.
Reviewed on 23 Nov 2023
