2019 Jean-François Mérieau Côt ”Cent Visages", Touraine, Loire Valley
ABOUT THIS WINE
Destemmed then hand sorted on a sorting table before crushing and put into a vat. Hand plunging and delestage, followed by a long maceration (between 5 and 6 weeks) with natural yeasts. Maturation in concrete buried tanks with micro-oxidation.
ABOUT THIS PRODUCER
Merieau's estate is based in the tiny village of Saint-Julien-de-Chédon (which doesn’t seem much changed since the 17th century), Jean–François’ property stretches to almost 35 hectares planted to Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Noir, Cot, Pineau d’Aunis, Gamay and Chardonnay. Many of the vines are quite old, including the Pineau d’Aunis which is over 100 years old and the Cot, the youngest of which are 50 years old and the oldest over 100. Unlike most Touraine producers, the vineyards are plowed and the property is in conversion to organic certification. Vineyard work is all manual and no commercial yeasts are used in the vinification.