Grolleau IGP 2019 1500ml Magnum
The Grolleau IGP 2019 from Clau de Nell is a single-varietal red from the Anjou, grown on sandstone, red flint and tuffeau.
CHF 85.50
Prices in CHF, including customs duty and all import charges, plus shipping CHF 15 (free from 12 bottles or CHF 300) — no further charges on delivery.
Available for Switzerland
Magnum — counts as 2 bottles in the case.
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About this wine
Character
Rustic and elegant at once: dense purple with violet highlights, dark fruit, cool spice, restrained tannin. A red from the Anjou with depth and drinkability, built for many years in the cellar.
Terroir and origin
The vines are located in Ambillou-Château in the Anjou, 90 metres above sea level and 120 kilometres from the Atlantic. The soil is loamy-silty over sandstone, with red flint above tuffeau. The vines are around 55 years old, yielding 25 hectolitres per hectare. Anne-Claude Leflaive acquired the estate in 2008 together with Christian Jacques; today he and cellar master Sylvain Potin continue to run it.
Grape variety and vinification
Grolleau is an indigenous Loire variety usually destined for off-dry Rosé d'Anjou. Here it stands alone. Hand-harvested into 12-kilo crates, destemmed, 30 days of maceration with only occasional pump-overs. 30 percent aged for twelve months on fine lees in Burgundian pièces five to seven years old, 70 percent in large foudres, with the cuvée then spending six months in stainless steel. 13.0% ABV, dry.
On the palate
On the nose black cherry, blackberry and blueberry, along with liquorice, dark chocolate and warm leather, cinnamon, juniper, black pepper and eucalyptus, with dried blackberry leaves and green tea in the background. The attack is juicy, the tannin silky and restrained, the acidity well integrated. Velvety and cool at once, with a clean, precise finish.
Food pairing suggestions
Côte de boeuf with pommes allumettes, braised wild boar shoulder with caramelised pumpkin wedges and Brussels sprouts, lamb tongue with red lentils and a warm sherry-raisin vinaigrette.
Highlights
Grolleau was almost never bottled as a single varietal until Claude and Nelly Pichard, after whom the estate is named, began doing so. The vineyards have been farmed biodynamically since 2000, and the label carries the Demeter logo. The 1500 ml magnum is built for long ageing.
