Clau de Nell "Cuvée Violette" Anjou, Loire, France, 2021

Overview of the Wine
A young estate founded in the early 2000s rearing to produce biodynamic wines out of the village of Ambillou-Château, in Maine et Loire, between Angers and Saumur, ended up catching the eye of Anne-Claude Leflaive and her husband Christian Jacques of the famed Domaine Leflaive in Puligny-Montrachet. This duo from Burgundy was eager to help another Domaine that equaled their passion for biodynamic winemaking and desire to make great wines. In a turn of events, the original owner facing difficulties had to sell the Domaine, which Leflaive purchased in 2008. Leflaive appointed a new manager, and the daughter of Anne-Calude and Christian even joined. This new team began planting a few more vineyards in the area with mainly Chenin Blanc. However, the real beauty of this estate is the old Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon Vines that had been planted 60-70 years ago on beautiful clay, flint, and tuffeau stone soils.

Natural and organic.

Winemaker
Sylvain Potin (connected to Domaine Leflaive) 

Grape / Blend
55% Cabernet Franc, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon

Origin
Loire, France

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
The Cabernet Sauvignon, by its generosity will bring us a spicy side, with touches of liquorice, as well as a fruity side (cherry, prunes, blackcurrant and blackberry…) A variety with a robust and powerful character that will unite with Cabernet Franc to gain freshness and liveliness. A complex, smooth wine with elegant tannins. Notes of undergrowth, leather and cooked fruit reveal themselves over time… Good aging potential.

Pair with nice red meat, sea salt and new potatoes, lamb stew with potatoes and vegetables. For lovers of red wine and cheese, there’s nothing like an époisse!

Serve at 16°C, do not hesitate to decant.

95 Points - James Suckling
Enchanting nose with red berries, fresh violets, dried chili and raw cocoa at first followed by dried flowers, sandalwood and crushed peppercorns. Medium to full bodied with finely grained tannins. Charming with balance, precision and elegance yet it does not lack any intensity. It’s dense at the center with a core of wild berries, herbs and spices developing through the mid-palate. Spicy and vibrant with a transparent character. It’s velvety and restrained with a long developing finish. Cabernet franc. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.

94 Points - Wine Enthusiast
This herbal Cabernet Franc (55%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (45%) blend craves your full-flavored dishes. The wine has a savory nose of rhubarb, marjoram, dried field grass, red plum and mushroom. On the palate the wine has flavors of damp earth, black olive and black cherry. This is a bottle you open and savor over an evening, not just during a first course.

90 Points - Wine Spectator
A polished and vibrant red, with a harmonious feel to its flavors of red currant and earth, flecked with a black pepper note and a pleasing vegetal streak. An elegant robe of gentle oak is nicely integrated, while sculpted tannins guide the finish. Shows impressive freshness, with a graphite mineral core. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2028. 500 cases made, 108 cases imported.

Product size: 750ml