Domaine de La Roche Bleue Coteaux du Loir “L’Oree de la Berterie” 2020

Bright and vibrant wine, even in its youth, with a perfect balance of freshness (green apples, pears, white flowers) and ripeness (baked apples, dried peaches, honey). In the mouth, wonderful acidity and a chalky texture carry the ripeness of the vintage.

wine making
Chenin Blanc grape vines that are 20-30 years old grow on the slopes and plateaus in the southwest of the Loire Valley. Mainly clay and chert over limestone, yield 30 hl/ha. Manual harvesting when slightly ripe may cause gray mold. The entire bunch is pressed long and delicately, allowing the juice to settle naturally. Thanks to the icy tuff cellar, natural fermentation takes place in the tanks at very low temperatures without any additives. Lift into jars, filter lightly and add a small amount of sulfite before bottling.

Blue Roche Winery
Sebastien Cornille is originally from Sancerre, but after a special adventure in Madagascar, he established his own estate in Jasnières (itself the northernmost point of Chenin Blanc cultivation) in 2008, with some remote vineyards. DOmaine de la Roche Bleue has now grown into a 6.5-hectare project with plots located in Jasnières and Coteaux-du-Loir. These vineyards are mainly located on the southeastern limestone slopes with clay flint topsoil, all exclusively hand-grown by Sebastian himself (certified organic, biodynamic in practice).

The work in the cellar involves no additives except a very small amount of sulfur, a long period of natural fermentation and maturation (part in tanks / part in old barrels) deep in the cold limestone caves.

During our winter visit to the Loire, we were so impressed by Sébastien's humble determination and his carefully crafted wines! The palate is tight and crystal clear with thousands of nuances of white flowers, apples, honey, wax, butter and chalk. Spicy but elegant Pinot Onis, sometimes blended with Gamay and Cabernet Sauvignon, is earthy, juicy and vibrant. Everything tastes great now, but is built for the long term.
They may not be the flashiest bottles you can find, but they contain some of the most promising wines on our shelves. Not for everyone, of course, but a must for sourheads who prefer precise and thoughtful wines.

Origin： France
Type：White Wine
Grapes：Chenin Blanc
Alcohol：14 %
Bottle Size：750ml