Marquis de C 2021, Domaine de la Garreliere

The Story: Craftsmanship on the Beautiful Hillside

Le Chenin de la Colline—literally the Chenin of the hill—is a stunning expression of the Loire's absolute royal grape. François and Pascale Plouzeau manage their beautiful biodynamic estate in the southern part of the Touraine appellation, not far from the historic village of Richelieu. Since 1985, they have followed a strictly natural path. In the vineyard and cellar, François relies entirely on his intuition and senses. His golden rule? “My nose is my best advisor!” Guided by this pure philosophy and backed by their Biodyvin certification, they craft wines with incredible depth and vitality.

The Interaction of Flint and Limestone

The vines for this cuvée average 30 years of age and are planted on a remarkably complex terroir. The soil combines flinty clay (argilo-silex) with clay-limestone. This specific interplay is pure gold for the Chenin Blanc grape: the flint lends the wine its underlying tension and minerality, while the limestone provides a generous, broad structure.

Tasting Note

This is a wonderfully aromatic and seductive Chenin Blanc with a full, round palate. The nose and palate are immediately treated to ripe yellow fruit, hints of tropical fruit, and a subtle touch of soft honey. While the wine comes across as beautifully rich and velvety, it remains wonderfully lively and refreshing thanks to its soft, perfectly integrated acidity. An exceptionally balanced and layered wine that showcases just how beautiful and gastronomic pure nature can be.

Vinification: Patience in Concrete and Oak

In the cellar, François opts for utmost precision and tranquility. The hand-picked whole bunches undergo a very slow, gentle pressing lasting 3 hours to preserve the purest aromas. This is followed by a cold fermentation of 3 weeks in concrete vats, giving the wine its clean fruit character. Finally, the wine ages peacefully sur-lie in old, large 600-liter wooden barrels (demi-muids) to gain complexity. In line with the Vin Nature philosophy, work is carried out with minimal intervention and little to no added sulfur.

Wine & Food Pairing

An absolute multitasker at the table. Excellent as a characterful aperitif, it is also a dream pairing for Asian or South American dishes with a sweet-and-sour profile, such as a fresh ceviche. Furthermore, this Chenin shines alongside rich salads, refined fish dishes, white meat, and creamy cheeses.