Vieilles Vignes Eparses

Vieilles Vignes Éparses is produced from vines aged over 50 to 80 years.

APPELLATION:
- White Coteaux du Loir dry to medium dry (see info per vintage)
GRAPE VARIETY:
- Chenin 100%. Old vines - over 50 years.
Several parcels in several parishes.
SOIL (TERROIR):
- Clay with flint on “tuffeau” (limestone). The presence of strong clays is less evident than for Les Rosiers, so there is a tendency to have finer soils.
VITICULTURE:
- Ground works : ploughing, earthing-up and hoeing. No weed killers.
- Maximum yields 25 hl/ha. Manual harvest.
VINIFICATION:
- Natural fermentation in 1-3 year old barrels with a small proportion (1/4) of new oak. Ageing one year minimum in barrel. The terroirs are separated and barrels are assembled before bottling to produce the cuvée.
- The final balance is the work of nature.
TASTING:
- 2003: Pale gold colour, limpid and brilliant. Nose rich, harmonious and fine, smelling quince and rhubarb. Lively and fresh attack. Mouth persisting, round, enrobed, complex and rich, presenting aromas of honey and fruits reminding those smelt by nose. A medium dry wine well balanced, produced with old vines of chenin.
Maturity : 2013 - Drink before 2018.
Open 1 h in advance - Serve in carafe at 9°.
18/20. Le Guide Fleurus des Vins 2006.
SERVICE:
- Open 1h before. Serve in carafe at 9-10°.
- Wine for ageing.
- Goes with: aperitif, asparagus, Roast Bresse chicken with woodland mushrooms, pike with beurre-blanc.
See also: maturity period and food matches

PRESS REVIEWS

Robert Parker

2005: 89-91+ (tasted before blending)
2004: 92 (Wine Advocate #172)

Classement des Meilleurs Vins de France

2006: 16 /20 (2008 ed.)
2005: 17.5 /20 (2007 ed.)
2004: 9 /10 (2006 ed.)

Guide GaultMillau

2005: 17,5 /20 (guide 2008)
2004: 17 /20 - Specially selected - The wine develops spellbinding minerality. The finish is fresh with loads of panache. (2007 ed.)