Wine - Lively Loire 1

Product Description

Domaine des Clairneaux & Domaine Couly-Dutheil Chinon France Domaine des Clairneaux Sancerre France Jean-Marie Berthier created this domaine from scratch in 1980 in the north of the appellation. He grows the two classic grape varieties of the Sancerre appellation Sauvignon Blanc for the whites & Pinot Noir for the rosé & reds on the slopes above Sainte-Gemme-en-Sancerre. He aims for delicate refreshing wines that reflect their origins in this classic Loire valley region. His 8 or so hectares are fifty-fifty chalky clay & flint & are exposed to long hours of sunlight so his wines have a combination of ripe fruit flavours as well as expressing the lovely natural flintiness of Sancerre.2008 Sancerre Blanc A delicious stylish balanced Sancerre that drinks beautifully early on & develops well with age. Quite a ripe style for Sancerre with almost New Zealand like gooseberry fruit along with pear & apple. Zesty but ripe acidity lovely minerality (anchoring it firmly in Sancerre!) & a clean long finish.2008 Sancerre RoséA beautiful glass of wine – it even looks gorgeous. 100% Pinot Noir rosé of delicacy & elegance. Medium bodied with fabulous summer pudding fruit; strawberry redcurrant & raspberry. stunning. Domaine Couly-Dutheil Chinon France Whilst many people associate the Loire valley exclusively with white wine (Sancerre Pouilly Fumé etc.) much of the Touraine region on the banks of this river are planted to red varieties such as Cabernet Franc & Gamay. Amongst the best of these wines come from Chinon & this well established domaine in the heart of the appellation has been given a new lease of life by the younger generation. Jacques Bertrand & Arnaud Couly have recently closed down the negociant side of the business (thank goodness!) to concentrate on making wines exclusively from their own grapes & the change has been immediate dramatic & impressive.2006 Chinon La Gravières The Chinon La Gravières is from a vineyard next to the River Vienne (a tributary of the Loire) & is a perfect summer red packed with juicy dark fruits blackcurrant leaf & capsicum. It provides instant pleasure the moment the cork is drawn.