Winemaker Julie Noël is among the rising stars of the Loire Valley, making some of the most structured, soulful wines in the Sancerre region. In contrast to many estates in an appellation not presently known for complexity, the Noël family maintains an incredibly passionate following in France from their reputation for making wines of intensity and grace.
Noël Sancerre Rouge is a limited cuvée made from .5ha of pinot noir parcels located near the villages of Sancerre and Chavignol. It is an exceptionally graceful and delicious example of Sancerre Rouge.
Vinification
The grapes for the cuvée are entirely hand-harvested and not destemmed. There is a ten-day maceration with twice-daily pumpovers, but these are short and gentle to preserve the fruit characteristics of the wine. After alcoholic fermentation, the wine is racked once, then left undisturbed in enameled stainless steel tanks until bottling the following summer. Malolactic fermentation is spontaneous. 200 cases produced.
Region
Loire Valley
Appellation
Sancerre
Sites
Sancerre and Chavignol
Grapes
Pinot Noir
Vine Age
35 years old
Soil
Silex and clay
Farming
Ecologic
Fermentation
Fermented with indigenous yeast in stainless steel
Aging
Four to six months in stainless steel
Vegan
Yes
ABV
13.5%
Pack Size
12x750mL