Domaine de Bellivière: They’ve Gone About as North As You Can Go Domaine de Bellivière is in the northern most part of the Touraine region, with two AOCs -- Jasnières and Coteaux-du-Loir. These are regions where the grapes normally struggle to reach maturity but in 2003 they exploded with sun, flavors, ripeness and bite. This is an isolated region which made forgettable wine until Eric and Christine Nicolas set-up shop nearly 10 years ago and renewed the region’s reputation. They have received enormous press in France and their wines grace many three-star restaurants. We’ve been working with them for several vintages and have watched them develop and their wines flourish. We have two wines in 2003 named after birds. The Rouge-Gorge is named after the robin and is made with the cult grape variety Pineau d’Aunis. Pineau d’Aunis is a nearly lost variety you find in this area, in scattered spots near Angers and forgotten locales in central Touraine. Rouge Gorge is perhaps the Richebourg of Pineau d’Aunis – there is a Romanée-Conti but it sells out early. L’Effraie is a Chenin that is normally razor-sharp with biting acidity. 2003 has wacky richness and this normally dry wine is a demi-sec bordering on a moëlleux -- lovely, concentrated stuff. It is named after the finch. These are wines that should cost double their prices. The work is so concentrated and sacrificing and the Nicolas have yet to make a dime. It is not easy to sell such an obscure appellation, it takes fanaticism, guts and conviction. That passion overflows in every mouthful. These are wines to treasure.
Finch? Robin? Get your story straight!
http://5255ccf66a4cf4ada3114c0d7764600b-t.dv30vsw.info 5255ccf66a4cf4ada3114c0d7764600b [url]http://5255ccf66a4cf4ada3114c0d7764600b-b1.dv30vsw.info[/url] [url=http://5255ccf66a4cf4ada3114c0d7764600b-b2.dv30vsw.info]5255ccf66a4cf4ada3114c0d7764600b[/url] [u]http://5255ccf66a4cf4ada3114c0d7764600b-b3.dv30vsw.info[/u] 7df9129406a60e979013b6dbd1fdce93 |