Henry Marionnet Premiere Vendange Gamay 2018
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Première Vendange is richer in color, fullness and complexity than normal Gamay because it has no sulfur, so all the yeast can ferment and express itself. It is truly an exceptional wine. Its aromas are marked by black fruits: blackberries, blackcurrants, black cherries and red fruits: strawberries and raspberries.
The Marionnet family has owned the Domaine de la Charmoise since 1850. The winery is nestled in the village of Soings, 30 km south of Blois, deep in the forests of La Sologne. Here, the wines benefit from a mild climate and the vineyards’ unique situation, resting at the highest point between the Loire and Cher rivers, ensuring the grapes’ full maturity and providing shelter against spring frosts.
The domaine’s vineyards were replanted and expanded between 1967 and 1978 by Henry Marionnet, who became a renowned figure in the region in the 1960s. One of the first producers to make truly honest Gamay here during a time of over-production, Henry had a very clear vision and style that carries through to this day. His plantings cover nearly 60 hectares of Gamay (including Gamay de Bouze, a teinturier mutation), Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and Romorantin. However, the true heart of the estate is in the six hectares of ungrafted vines, with the oldest Romorantin plot thought to date back to the 1850s – possibly making them the oldest vines in France. Henry’s son, Jean-Sebastien, continues his father’s practices and vision while bringing a new perspective. He uses neither chemicals in the vineyard nor oak in the cellar. Additionally, Marionnets are part of a project to recreate the vineyards at the great Château Chambord, which will include Romorantin, Pinot Noir, Pineau, and Sauvignon Blanc as an approximation of the makeup of the grapes planted in 1517.
With a strong commitment to saving and developing heritage varietals and further development of the Marionnet family’s centrality to grape growing and winemaking in this area, these are wines that elicit a powerful sense of tasting history.
Delightfully playful, but also capable of impressive gravitas, Gamay is responsible for juicy, berry-packed wines. From Beaujolais, Gamay generally has three classes: Beaujolais Nouveau, a decidedly young, fruit-driven wine, Beaujolais Villages and Cru Beaujolais. The Villages and Crus are highly ranked grape growing communes whose wines are capable of improving with age whereas Nouveau, released two months after harvest, is intended for immediate consumption. Somm Secret—The ten different Crus have their own distinct personalities—Fleurie is delicate and floral, Côte de Brouilly is concentrated and elegant and Morgon is structured and age-worthy.
Stretching east along the steep banks of the Loire River, Touraine is a major part of the Middle Loire. Soil variations of clay, sand, tuffeau and gravel throughout its subregions support both white and red varieties. Chinon and Bourgueil remain the source of Loire’s finest Cabernet Franc; various styles of the most outstanding Chenin blanc come from Vouvray and Montlouis.