2018 DOMAINE DES HUARDS “PURE” CHEVERNY – LOIRE VALLEY, FRANCE
85% Sauvignon Blanc/15% Chardonnay
Winemaking details: Domaine des Huards was founded 1846 and has been certified biodynamic and organic since 1998. They tend vines, forests, fields, and a flock of sheep on the estate where the winery is located. Today, the land is looked after by Michael Gendrier and his son Alex, who is now the 8th generation winemaker in the family. Domaine des Huards is in the village of Cheverny in the Loire Valley, which is known for its cool continental climate and bright whites and lighter red wines. The soil on the estate is composed of chalky limestone bedrock with various clay and sandstone top soils. The grapes are hand harvested and pressed whole cluster to stainless steel tank, where the juice settles overnight before being racked to steel. All of their wines undergo native yeast fermentations and they use no oak. They do not inoculate for ML either, and this vintage went through partial secondary fermentation. After aging on fine lees for 5-6 months, the wine sees a light filtration being bottling with minimal added sulfur.
Color: Medium Straw
Bouquet: A complex yet subtle nose with green apple, key lime, lemon zest, white pear, violettes, and gooseberry.
Palate: This is a “pure”, precise, and focused wine that showcases the best of both grapes. Refreshing medium+ acidity and a nice mid palate weight, this wine finishes long and dry, with a nice texture from a bit of time on the fine lees. Enjoy this wine with soft cheeses, radicchio and almond salad, summer ricotta ravioli, or local halibut in beurre blanc.
Enjoy this wine now for a fresh and bright expression, or cellar it for 5-10 years for added depth and complexity.
Further information can be found here: Domaine des Huards
2018 DOMAINE CHRISTOPHE MITTNACHT “TERRES D’ÉTOILES” – ALSACE, FRANCE
Pinot Noir
Winemaking details: Domaine Mittnacht Freres was founded by two brothers in 1963, and were one of the first estates in Alsace to become certified biodynamic and organic (1999). A few years ago, Christophe branched away from his brother and started his own domaine, still on the estate and still making wine from the same vines. He believes that healthy soils and ecosystems ultimately produce better, more expressive and refined wines, hence his commitment to these farming practices and light hand in the cellar. These vines average over 40 years in age and are planted high density on clay and limestone soils. After hand harvesting, the grapes are fully destemmed before they undergo a native yeast fermentation. The wine undergoes a native secondary fermentation as well, then rests for 18 months in neutral french foudre before being bottled with a small addition of sulfur.
Color: Pale Ruby
Bouquet: Pomegranate, ripe cranberries, cherries, roses, damp forrest, light prosciutto.
Palate: Christophe has grown and created an expressive and elegant Alsatian Pinot Noir. It is fresh, balanced, earthy, floral, and savory. It has fine, powdery tannins, low alcohol, classic red fruits, light spice, and typical cool climate high acid. This would be a great wine to accompany a charcuterie board, mushroom burger, or duck breast with fried maitake mushrooms.
While drinking great now, this wine could also be enjoyed after 5-7 years of aging
Further information can be found here: Domaine Christophe Mittnacht