The domaine was created in 1988 by Patrick Noël in the village of Saint-Satur, at the base of the Sancerre hill, descended from more than three centuries of vignerons, all from the village of Chavignol. Historically, in the Noël family, the vines have always been transmitted from mothers to daughters. Patrick was an exception to this rule, but his daughter Julie, by choosing to take over the wine heritage in her turn, is part of a long matriarchal line.
Vigneronne Julie Noël is making some of the most structured, soulful wines in Sancerre. 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 Rosé is made from estate vineyards located primarily in the villages of Chavignol and Sancerre. The blend includes grapes from vines planted in both soil types: Silex (flinty clay) in Sancerre, and Argilo-calcaire (Kimmeridgian clay-limestone) in Chavignol.
Vinification
In the winery, the grapes are very gently directly-pressed and the must is put into stainless steel tanks. There, fermentation occurs at low temperatures to preserve the aromatics. Each terroir type is vinified separately. The wine then rests in a tank, without bâtonnage, with only one racking two months after fermentation. It is then blended, fined with bentonite, and bottled the following spring.
Region
Loire Valley
Appellation
Sancerre
Sites
Chavignol and Sancerre
Grapes
100% Pinot Noir
Vine Age
35 years old
Soil
Argilo-calcaire and Silex
Farming
Ecologic
Fermentation
Fermented with indigenous yeast in stainless steel
Aging
Four months in stainless steel
Fining & Filtration
Four months in stainless steel
ABV
13%
Pack Size
12x750mL