2016 Château de Fosse-Seche Saumur "Eolithe", Loire Valley, France

ABOUT THIS WINE

Grown on a stony Jurassic plateau of flint with gravel and some clay, but free of lime so that soil allows for deep root growth. Very low yields of about 20hL/ha. Aged on the lees in old beer transportation tanks for about 21 months.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Quedam Domus que dicitur Fossa Sicca, “a house which is called “Fosse Seche” this Chateau was known in the region since 1238. In the 13th century, the property was a part of the Prieure Saint Nicolas de Montreuil-Bellay. Its manor chapel of the 15th century was updated in the 16th. It was only in 1904 that the owners of the vineyards surrounding the chapel produced a Cabernet d’Anjou. This wine continued to be popular for many years. Today, the Château de Fosse-Sèche is made up of 45 hectares by one family - the Kellers. They took over the Château in 1998. One interesting feature of the property is that it is in the middle of the “plateau de Brossay.” Only 17 hectares of the property’s 45 is planted to vines, which are comprised of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chenin Blanc. The soils are based on Jurassic marls, full of flinty stone with some flinty sand. There is also some chalk / limestone present, but this is in small quantities. Guillaume Keller works his vineyard very carefully. He is certified organic Ecocert, but does not advertise it. He cares more about a fully functioning ecosystem around the vineyard, complete with forest, wild flowers, birds and bees. Guillaume has recently started practicing biodynamics. His youngest vines are less than 12 years old and his oldest are between 30 - 50 years old. Guillaume is not a technician in a sense of taking measure of every thing. For instance he doesn’t measure the sugar level of the grapes when determining the harvest. He simply tastes them to judge their readiness. By simple vineyard practices and clean, basic procedures in the cellar, Guillaume has established the wines of this historic Château amongst the best quality wines of Saumur.