Depaz Cuvée des Alizés 2020

Depaz distills at the foot of Mont Pelee in Martinique, with a volcanic-terroir story dating to 1917, and this Cuvee des Alizes from 2020 is an unaged agricole made from fresh-pressed sugarcane juice under the island's AOC. It is unsweetened and bottled at an approachable 45 percent.

Distilled on a creole column kept low to hold the green cane congeners, it is fresh and citrusy with a light saline edge: sugarcane, lemon, a floral lift and gentle spice on the nose, with a citrus-forward, vegetal palate. The finish runs to citrus, white pepper, grass and an earthy note. The reduced strength keeps it smooth and easy, without alcoholic burn. A versatile, value-minded blanc that works in a Ti Punch and rewards a neat pour after a little air.