Great Natural Wines from Jean-Pierre Robinot - First Time in the US!

7/25/2008 -

(Robinot at La Dive Bouteille 2008 in Deauville)

Jean-Pierre Robinot was a wine writer (Le Rouge et le Blanc) and wine-bar owner in Paris before returning to his native village, near Tours, where he acquired a dozen hectares in Jasnières and Coteaux du Loir. His passion is natural wine-making - he farms organically and vinifies with minimal sulphur and his yields are limited to 25 to 30 hl/ha. The  vineyards are plowed and nourished with natural composts, fermentations are slow and with only wild yeasts. We have tasted with the outgoing and friendly Monsieur Robinot many times and have been greatly impressed by his wines, particularly the reds and sparkling rosés from Pineau D'Aunis. We have finally obtained a small quantity of his 2005 "Concerto D'Oniss" Vin de Table Rouge and 2006 "Les Années Folles" Vin de Table Rosé Petillant. These are unique and delicious wines - we urge you to try them!

Here is Lyle's tasting note on the 2005 Concerto D'Oniss - The nose is very high-toned and floral with roses, cherry fruit, lavender and chamomile and a lovely savory element. Initially there is a little of that "natural wine" fizz but that will go away with aeration and time. Beyond there is lovely pure fruit and a sensual texture all on a lithe structure. This is surely the elegant, feminine side of Pineau d'Aunis if there ever was one. The palate caresses while being juicy and having a lovely acidic backbone with some fine grainy tannins. A lovely pure expression of Pineau d'Aunis that lingers on your palate. Excellent.