2019 Les Athletes du Vin Pineau d'Aunis
Loire Valley, France
Light and spicy a great option for lovers of Pinot Noir, Gamay & Cabernet Franc wanting to expand their vinous horizons.
$38.00
Out of Stock
Very interesting, very delicious, savoury and bright. A very charming red.
Mike Bennie (The Wine Front)
About The Wine
Pineau d'Aunis (pronounced 'peeno doh-niece') is native to the Loire Valley. It produces lighter bodied reds that have distinctive spicy and specifically peppery notes. Think light Pinot Noir with the pepper of cool climate Syrah and the rustic charm of Cabernet Franc and you will be on the right lines.
The 'Athlete' behind this particular wine is Jean François Mérieau who farms his estate in Touraine organically and with minimal intervention.
This wine is all strawberries and black pepper. If you have ever put pepper on actual strawberries, you'll know how good this combo is! You'll also find lots of cranberry crunch, ripe raspberries and an earthy, savoury finish.
About The Producer
Started in 2016, Les Athletes du Vin the brainchild of a collective of small, like-minded Loire Valley vignerons who called themselves ‘Vini be Good’. Under the 'Athletes' label they produce a dynamic range of Loire Valley wines showcasing the region with both the classic and the quirky.
Those involved share the same philosophies. In the vineyard they work sustainably and organically with low yields and hand harvesting. In the winery it is all about minimal intervention with natural yeasts, minimal sulphur, little to no oak and minimal filtration the norm. These gems are transparent and delicious sketches of the diversity Loire Valley has to offer.
If the charming labels seem familiar it may be because they were drawn by none other than illustrator Michel Tomer, the unofficial artist of the Natural wine movement in France.
Touraine, Loire Valley, France
From The Importer
Aromatics: Earthy, peppery notes as well as ripe raspberries and strawberries aromas.
Palate: Medium bodied red berries and strawberries. This is a very likable spicy and savoury red wine.
About the wine: 50 to 120 years old vines on clay and limestone. Hand harvested, 2 weeks maceration in stainless steel tanks, then ageing in concrete tanks for 6 months. No fining, light filtration. Low sulphur.
Blend : Pineau d'Aunis (100%)
ABV : 13%
Closure : Cork
Drink Until : 2026
Bottle Size : 750ml
Loire Valley, France
Critic Reviews
"Pineau d’aunis is red hot in the natural wine world (...). This one from a collective of natural winemakers in Loire. Slurpy texture, sloshy and soft with a smudge of dusty tannin, slightly gummy finish and lots and lots of mixed, alpine herbs, sage leaf, saline minerality and fresh but twiggy/brambly finish. Very interesting, very delicious, savoury and bright. A very charming red. Drink in youth." - Mike Bennie (The Wine Front)
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