2021 Terre de L’elu, Maupiti, Loire Valley, France
Regular price $27.00
Unit price per
Gamay, Grolleau, Cabernet Franc
Vivacious but not vacuous is probably the best way to describe Gamay grown in the Loire Valley. It certainly can have a nervy tang but when it is done right it can make for a joyous evening if a somewhat less than celebratory morning-after. Thomas blends some Cabernet Franc into his Gamay to make Maupiti, a more seductive and seriously fun Loire Valley red than we’ve seen in a while. Three glous on the glou-glou meter.
Thomas and Charlotte farm Terre de l’Elu organically and biodynamically – certified by ECOCERT and DEMETER. After years of experience advising others he has put his principles to work at his own estate: native cover crops are encouraged, the soil is tilled and no synthetic products are employed. These efforts have brought new life to the soils allowing him to preserve many of the old vines on the property. New plantings have been made using selection massale to preserve the diversity of his sites. About half of his vineyards are planted with equal proportions of Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc – the two most common varieties grown in the Anjou with smaller plantings of Gamay, Grolleau Noir and Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pineau d’Aunis. Each plot and variety is harvested by hand and brought to the cellar where the whites are pressed and allowed a short period to settle. Most of the red wines are whole cluster fermentations. Only natural yeasts are employed, macerations are long and the wines age in tank, barrel or amphorae. Sulfur usage is minimal and often added just before bottling.
Vivacious but not vacuous is probably the best way to describe Gamay grown in the Loire Valley. It certainly can have a nervy tang but when it is done right it can make for a joyous evening if a somewhat less than celebratory morning-after. Thomas blends some Cabernet Franc into his Gamay to make Maupiti, a more seductive and seriously fun Loire Valley red than we’ve seen in a while. Three glous on the glou-glou meter.
Thomas and Charlotte farm Terre de l’Elu organically and biodynamically – certified by ECOCERT and DEMETER. After years of experience advising others he has put his principles to work at his own estate: native cover crops are encouraged, the soil is tilled and no synthetic products are employed. These efforts have brought new life to the soils allowing him to preserve many of the old vines on the property. New plantings have been made using selection massale to preserve the diversity of his sites. About half of his vineyards are planted with equal proportions of Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc – the two most common varieties grown in the Anjou with smaller plantings of Gamay, Grolleau Noir and Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pineau d’Aunis. Each plot and variety is harvested by hand and brought to the cellar where the whites are pressed and allowed a short period to settle. Most of the red wines are whole cluster fermentations. Only natural yeasts are employed, macerations are long and the wines age in tank, barrel or amphorae. Sulfur usage is minimal and often added just before bottling.