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Domaine de la Roche Bleue
The domain was established in 2008 by Sébastien Cornille, a native of Sancerre, with 3.5 hectares in Jasniéres and 1.5 hectares in the Coteaux-du-Loir. Now totaling about 6.5 hectares, the estate is certified organic and operates with biodynamic methods in the vines and in the cellar. Sébastien works the soils without deep plowing, harvests by hand, vinifies with wild yeasts without additives and uses minimal SO2. We have just received a shipment of three unique and vibrant Chenin Blancs from Jasnières and the Coteaux-du-Loir, all of which show oustanding mineral character with great compexity of fruit and excellent length as well as a festive sparkling Pineau d'Aunis.
Curnonsky, (1872 - 1956) Prince of Gastronomy, declared that "Jasnières is, three times each century, the greatest white wine in the world!" With global warming, this tiny appellation north of Tours now produces outstanding wines more often, with 2018 - 2020 being excellent vintages in Jasnières, combining beautiful ripeness with firm acidity. The tiny appellations of Jasnières and Coteaux du Loir, each with only about 75 hectares of vines, are located on south facing hills along the Loir (not the Loire!) river north of Tours, on bedrock of Turonian limestone with, varied soils of clays with silex and sands with mica. Although somewhat protected by forests to the north, the cool climate helps create vibrant dry wines, with firm acidity that cellar beautifully, and demi-sec and sweet wines that are beautifully balanced, though rarely produced. This bucolic and forgotten region has recently attracted a small number of talented vignerons who have resurrected old vineyards and replanted abandoned hillsides, bringing Curnonsky's declaration back to life on a regular basis...
2020 Coteaux du Loir "L'Orée de la Berterie" is from 30-year-old Chenin Blanc vines on slopes (80%) and terraces (20%) in the lieu-dit "Le Haut Perray" in Chahaignes, Coteaux du Loir. Thin red clay soils over limestone and deeper clay soils with silex giving yields of about 30 ha/hl. The grapes are harvested late to counterbalance the vibrant acidity normal in this terroir.
2020 Jasnières Sec, from average 30 year-old vines on a slope of clay/silex soils on limestone, certified organic. Slow pressing of whole clusters; long fermentations with zero additives in average 3 year-old oak and acacia barrels with a year of aging followed by assembly in cuve with an additional 3 months aging.
2019 Jasnières "Clos des Molières" is from 30 year-old Chenin Blanc vines in a mid and upper slope parcel of thin clay and silex soils on limestone, yields of 25 hl/ha, certified organic with biodynamic methods as well, fermented and aged in 2 year-old 400 liter barriques. After one year, the wine is assembled in barrel or cuve and ages for an additional 6 months, followed by a minimum of 6 months in bottle before commercialization.
2021 Vin de France "La Belle en Bulle" is from 50+ year-old Pineau d'Aunis vines in Jasnières and Coteaux du Loir. The terroir is clay with silex and stones over limestone, giving yields of about 30 ha/hl. This new 2021 Petillant version of La Belle d'Aunis contains 10% fruit from 2018 and 2019, bottled in November 2021 to finish fermentation and disgorged in March 2022.
La Source du Ruault
Jean-Noel Millon took over this 13 hectare estate from his father in 1998, the seventh generation at La Source du Ruault, in Varrains. Farming here has been organic since 2007 with biodynamic preparations used in the vineyards and with an emphasis on biodiversity. The domaine has vineyards on clay over Turonian limestone terroir in Varrains, near those of Roches Neuves and Antoine Sanzay, including the walled "Clos de la Côte" and "les Poyeux" as well as a great parcel for Chenin on a south-facing hill near the Loire. The cellars here are large, deep and very cold, allowing the wines to receive at least two to three years of aging before release.
While mostly known for the rather full-bodied and very supple reds, the estate's Saumur Blanc "La Coulée d'Aunis" is outstanding, from a beautiful south-facing vineyard near the Loire river on Turonian limestone with clay. The 2019 is crackling with acidity and mineral flavors and will benefit from five to ten-plus years of cellaring. And a lovely surprise this year is the delightful and refreshing 2020 Saumur-Champigny Rosé - it's light and silky but with nice density of berry fruits that linger in the sapid finish.
The wines are in stock at our warehouse, please allow 3 - 5 days before pick-up/shipping. Case/mixed case discounts apply.
Source du Ruault 2019 Saumur Blanc "La Coulée d' Aunis"
The Source du Ruault "Coulée D'Aunis" is from a beautiful south-facing vineyard near the Loire river on Turonian limestone with clay. The 2019 shows a lovely light gold color and aromas of dried pear, lemon zest, anise, lime-flower, almond and stone, very bright and vibrant. There is very firm chalky acidity on the palate, really a scintillating texture with white fruits, citrus, herbal and stone flavors. The finish is long and extremely mineral, almost bitter, with brisk acidity lingering on the palate. Give this a decant or open the night before if drinking now, serve this bright and vibrant Chenin with shellfish, a full-flavored ceviche, baked cod. Beautiful now, five to ten years of cellaring will be very interesting...
Roche Bleue 2020 Coteaux du Loir L'Orée de la Berterie (11/14)
This is a beautiful Chenin Blanc from Sébastien Cornille at Domaine de la Roche Bleue, from 30-year-old vines on slopes (80%) and terraces (20%) in the lieu-dit "Le Haut Perray" in Chahaignes, Coteaux du Loir. Thin red clay soils over limestone and deeper clay soils with silex giving yields of about 30 ha/hl. The grapes are harvested late to counterbalance the vibrant acidity normal in this terroir. The 2020 L'Orée de la Berterie shows lovely ripe aromas - honeyed pear, peach and kiwi with almond, floral and mineral notes, elegant and pure. Dried pear, citrus peel, almond, stone and herbal notes on the round and ripe palate with terrific density and a long, quite firm citrus and mineral finish. This is an outstanding young Chenin that will open up over the next five to ten years, and it's a superb value as well. Serve with ceviche of fluke, fish in sauce, roast chicken and mild cheeses. DL
Roche Bleue 2020 Jasnières Sec
100% Chenin Blanc, from average 30 year-old vines on a slope of clay/silex soils on limestone, certified organic. Slow pressing of whole clusters; long fermentations with zero additives in average 3 year-old oak and acacia barrels with a year of aging followed by assembly in cuve with an additional 3 months aging. This lovely Jasnières shows subtle aromas of earth, citrus, lime-flower, pear, anise and wet stone with a hint of honeysuckle. Hints of yellow and white fruits on the palate with very firm acidity and saline stone flavors with bitter citrus and earth in the finish. This is a beautiful young Jasnières to enjoy now with grilled fish, shellfish, roast chicken and goat cheeses - or cellar five to ten years and serve with fish or chicken in sauce and aged cheeses. This is a fabulous value and highly recommended!
Roche Bleue 2019 Jasnières Le Clos des Molières
(Arrival May 9) The 2019 "Clos des Molières" is from 30 year-old Chenin Blanc vines in a mid and upper slope parcel of thin clay and silex soils on limestone, yields of 25 hl/ha, certified organic with biodynamic methods as well, fermented and aged in 2 year-old 400 liter barriques. After one year, the wine is assembled in barrel or cuve and ages for an additional 6 months, followed by a minimum of 6 months in bottle before commercialization. The wine shows subtle aromas of almond, lemon verbena, dried pear, apricot and apple, chalk and stone. The palate is full and dense but vibrant with a chalky texture and subtle, complex white and yellow fruits, citrus, and almond, scintillating and long. It's a wine of contemplation that will open up nicely with time. Serve now with a mildly flavored ceviche, grilled fish, white meats and goat cheesees or hold for ten+ years. This is a lovely Jasnières, bravo to Sébastien Cornille. David Lillie
Roche Bleue 2021 Vin de France Belle en Bulle
The 2021 La Belle en Bulle is from 50+ year-old Pineau d'Aunis vines in Jasnieres and Coteaux du Loir. The terroir is clay with silex and stones over limestone, giving yields of about 30 ha/hl. This new 2021 Petillant version of La Belle d'Aunis contains 10% fruit from 2018 and 2019 (?), bottled in November 2021 to finish fermentation and disgorged in March 2022. The wine shows very pretty Pineau d'Aunis aromas, earthy and ripe of strawberry compote, tart cherry and violet. The palate is lightly sparkling and quite refreshing with citrus and minerals rather than fruit on the clean finish. Serve quite cool at your next picnic or party, especially with charcuterie.
Source du Ruault 2018 Saumur-Champigny Rouge
Jean-Noêl Millon at La Source du Ruault has 13 hectares on turonian limestone in Saumur-Champigny, organic since 2007 and using biodynamic methods. The "regular" Saumur-Champigny is from younger vines on clay and sandy soils over the limestone; the wine is hand harveted, fermented with wild yeasts, aged in stainless steel vat. The wine shows a dense red/black color with aromas of raspberry and cassis liqueur, ripe, quite pure and bright. The palate has a soft velvety attack but there is acidity to balance, with pretty red and black fruits that are ripe and intriguing. Serve this quite cool with roast chicken, grilled pork and lamb, tagines and charcuterie. This is a lovely Saumur-Champigny and an excellent value...
Source du Ruault 2020 Saumur-Champigny "Arrosée" (Rosé)
This elegant rosé, is 100% Cabernet Franc from one of the top organic estates in Saumur-Champigny. The wine shows a pretty light pink/orange color and subtle aromas of ripe raspberry, peach and red currant. The palate is light and silky but with nice density of berry fruits that linger in the sapid finish with citrus and mineral notes. Really a nice wine in the style of the Baudry Chinon and a sensational value at $14.99.