2022 Domaine Bernard Fleuriet, Sancerre Rouge, Loire Valley, France

Producer: A family owned & operated winery, started in 1991 by Bernard with his wife Anne-Marie & sons Benoit & Matthew, with 1.5 hectares. Today Benoit & Matthew run the winery, farming 35 hectares of vines, 30 in Sancerre, 5 in Menetou-Salon. They represent the diversity of the region with the 3 great soil types: Flint (silex), Caillottes (small limestone pebbles mixed with clay) & White Earth (clay & limestone).

Place: The estate is located in the hamlet of Vauvise, part of the town of Menetou-Râtel, Centre-Loire Valley, France & most of their vines are located close by in the Sancerre AOC. Sancerre, famous for its mineral driven wines – Sauvignon Blanc vines growing in ancient, chalky limestone soils, AOC for white came first then in 1959 the Appellation for red Sancerre came, permitting Pinot Noir  to be used for both red & rosé. Sancerre Rouge, renowned for its bright minerality & soft structure – prior to the phylloxera epidemic of the 1800’s, there was a much higher production of Pinot Noir than Sauvignon Blanc in Sancerre.

Cultivation: Certified Organic & Biodynamic.

Varietal: Pinot Noir, the 4th most common red grape variety in the Loire Valley behind Cabernet Franc, Gamay & Côt (or Malbec) – occupying roughly 1000 hectares in total.

Soil: Clay & Limestone

Winemaking: Hand harvested, 30% whole bunch, maceration & fermentation for 30 days in concrete tank, aged 80% in oak barrel, 20% in cement tank.

Tasting Notes: Blackcurrant – Tart Red Cherry – Peppery Spice – Subtle Tannin