Violette AOC 2019

Violette is the cuvée in which Clau de Nell brings together its two Cabernets. The 2019 shows cool and silky, without ever being tame: acidity, astringency and tannin are all in strong supply, the fruit is demanding, the texture fleshy and pleasantly rustic.

The vines stand in Ambillou-Château in Anjou, 90 metres above sea level and 120 kilometres from the Atlantic, where warm days meet cool nights. They grow in clay-silt soil over sandstone, as well as in red flint over tuffeau, the region's characteristic limestone.

Cabernet Franc from 45- to 55-year-old vines, Cabernet Sauvignon from 70-year-old vines, at a yield of 35 to 40 hl/ha. The grapes were hand-harvested into 12-kilo crates. They were largely destemmed and fermented over 30 days, with only occasional pumping-over. This was followed by twelve months on the fine lees in five- to seven-year-old Burgundian pièces, then six months in a large oak cask.

Above the dark berry fruit of blackcurrant, blackberry and elderberry lie undergrowth, liquorice and juniper, joined by dark chocolate, aniseed, black pepper and rye sourdough. A soapy note leads into lavender and violet, while a restrained note of warm leather remains present. On the finish, the wine settles and finds its balance.

With braised pork cheeks with root vegetables and mashed potatoes, with grilled rib eye with pimientos de Padrón and rosemary potatoes, and, for a vegetarian option, with beetroot carpaccio with fresh goat's cheese and walnuts.

Clau de Nell converted to biodynamic farming as early as 2000 and is certified biodynamic, with the Demeter logo on the label. In 2008, Anne-Claude Leflaive and her husband Christian Jacques took over the estate, which had gone three years without producing wine. Following her death in 2015, Christian Jacques and cellar master Sylvain Potin have continued to run it.