Clos Thierriere - "Sang de Roche" Vouvray AOC 2023 750ml (13% ABV)

Twin brothers with a business background fell in love with winemaking during the pandemic under the tutelage of Vincent Carême. They purchased 12 hectares in Vernou-Sur-Brenne amongst a few neighboring natural wine makers and have produced a wonderfully successful first and second vintage of AOC Vouvray.

From the estate's first parcel, 1.5 hectares located on the northern slope of the commune, on flinty clay soils. The vines are around thirty years old. "Sang de roche" refers to the energy expended by the vines in extracting minerals from the soil and flint, enabling the grapes to develop and express the unique identity of this terroir.

All fruit is hand-picked and sorted in the vineyard into small 10 kg trays to keep the bunches intact for whole-bunch pressing. All ferments are native yeast and conducted in fibreglass tank. The first three whites see 7 months on lees in tank, while the top wine, Les Murs, is transferred to a mix of seasoned oak formats for 12-18 months maturation. Sulphur use is kept to a bare minimum and the wines are bottled without fining, so are Vegan-friendly.

Sang de Roche, from vines on the left-hand side (as you ascend the road) of the Rue Neuve in the lieu-dit of Les Pierres Rousses. Here they have 1.5 hectares of vines on soils of clay and flint. Rather than name it for the lieu-dit, the cuvée’s name references the vines ability to express the mineral component of the soils. The fruit is picked by hand and vinified in fibreglass cuve.

‘From a 1.6-hectare parcel of vines in Les Pierres Rousses, the vines rooted in flinty soils over deeper limestone. It was vinified in fibreglass cuve and is due to be bottled in March 2023. It is vinified dry, with less than 1 g/l residual sugar. I find a charming and fragrant nose, with traces of orange zest. The palate is gently textural, with threads of green apple and pear, a chalky freshness and good acidity for the vintage. I find a nice energy to this, along with a lightly peppery note, all gently perfumed with lime blossom and white flowers. The alcohol is said to be about 13.5%.’ (89-91) points, Chris Kissack, Wine Doctor, October 2023.

In future this wine will be aged in large oak. Baptiste describes this cuvée as ‘very straight, more acidity - direct to the soil’.

region: Loire Valley, France

varietal: Chenin Blanc

style: white

farming/cellar: Direct press in stainless. Aged 8 months in tank. Bottled unfined, unfiltered, minimal added SO2.

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