Grolleau, Vin de Pays du Val de Loire – 2011
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Vineyard Profile
- Cultivation: Demeter Certified Biodynamic. Biodynamic practices include infusions and plant decoctions applied to the vineyards depending on the lunar calendar. Other vineyard practives include covering vine stock with soil in autumn, plowing-down in spring, tilling and allowing natural grass to grow between the rows.
- Size: 2 hectares (4.94 acres)
- Vine Age: 60 to 90 years
- Soil: Silty-clay terroir, consisting of sandstone grit and red flint on tuffeau (limestone)
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Vintage Report
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Hand-picked when fully ripened in 12-kilogram (26.5 pounds) crates, sorting at the vineyard parcel
- Average Yields: 25 hectoliters/hectare (1.85 tons/acre)
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Vinification
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Fermentation: Destemmed harvest is fermented using native yeast; 20-day maceration without extraction, gentle cap-punching, limited pump-overs, infusion techniques, at temperatures between 18° to 25°C (64.4° to 77°F)
Pressing: Slow and gentle pressing in a pneumatic press
Barrel Aging: One-half of the wines is aged 12 months on fine lees in 5-year-old Burgundy casks in ancient troglodyte cellars cut into the limestone hillside on the property, one-half of the wine is aged 12 months on fine lees in vats
Bottled without filtration or fining on a (biodynamic) fruit day
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Technical Information
- Cases Imported: 250 cases
- Imported Case Pack: 6/750ml
Images
Reviews
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Grolleau, Vin de Pays du Val de Loire – 2011 – 91 points, Year’s Best Loire – Wine & Spirits
“…half the lot [aged] in old Burgundy casks, the other half in vat…its silken tannins carrying depths of juicy black currant flavor. The structure provides a little bitterness to balance the fruit, along with a note of pipe tobacco.”