2022 Belliviere 'Rouge-Gorge' Coteaux du Loire

Rouge Gorge, named in honor of the red-throated European robins inhabiting the vineyards, is made from Pineau d'Aunis vines scattered across 14 parcels spanning 3.7 hectares at Bellivière. The gobelet-trained vines range in age from 10 to 60 years old and are planted on flinty clay soils over tuffeau (soft limestone). Yields are kept low at approximately 25 hl/ha. This Coteaux-du-Loir red showcases the distinctive peppery spiciness characteristic of the Pineau d'Aunis grape variety. The wine is ageworthy with rare aging potential for this variety. Benefits from decanting.

$45.00

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Specs

Type: Red

Grapes: Pineau d'Aunis

Vintage: 2022

Geography

Country: France

Region: Loire Valley

Sub-region: Coteaux du Loir

Farming

Certified biodynamic viticulture since 2011, with organic farming practices from the start. Meticulous attention to soil health with minimal chemical treatments, grass management, and soil aeration. Malbrot pruning method used to protect against spring frosts. Hand harvesting. Pineau d'Aunis vines range from 25 to 45 years old, maintained at maximum yields of 25 hl/ha. Soils are flinty clay over tuffeau (soft limestone).

Harvest

Hand-harvested grapes picked at optimal ripeness, destemmed and crushed (foot treading in some parcels)

Fermentation

Spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts in old barrels and wooden vessels, with each parcel vinified separately; maceration lasts up to a month with occasional punchdowns and pigeage; no temperature control, using natural conditions in tuffeau limestone cellars; malolactic fermentation in barrique

Aging

Aged in used barrels and large barrels for 12 to 18 months, with some parcels in concrete eggs for one year; slow and precise pressing; aged on lees for one year; wines blended before bottling without fining or filtering; 30ppm SO2 added at bottling with minimal SO2 additions