2016 Xavier Weisskopf Touraine "Le Rocher des Violettes", Loire Valley, France

ABOUT THIS WINE:

• Certified organic
• 55+ year old vines
• 90% from near Chinon, 10% from Montlouis
• From 4 parcels totaling 1 hs
• 30-40cm of soil before hitting limestone
• 100% de-stemmed
• Indigenous yeast
• Fermented in 100% tronconique (15000 L neutral upright barrels)
• Aged in 2-3 year old 280L barrels for 24 months
• Unfined and unfiltered

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER:

Xavier Weisskopf is one of the new generations of young producers buying into appellations in the Loire that are less developed, enabling his purchase in 2005 of well-established old vineyards at Montlouis in Touraine.

Having studied viticulture and oenology at Beaune he worked as cellar-master at Chateau St-Cosme in the southern Rhône before buying his first parcel of 6.8 hectares. He has gradually increased his holdings to the current 13 ha of vines with 9 ha of vines in Montlouis and 4 ha of vines in Touraine AOC. Montlouis sits across the Loire on the south side of Vouvray and today is a hotbed of innovation. Here 100% Chenin Blanc is planted on similar tuffeau soils to Vouvray, though usually with a bit more sand. The Touraine appellation also produces Chenin Blanc, along with Grolleau for rosé and has some very old Côt (Malbec) and Cabernet Franc plantings. Xavier’s deft touch in the winery is transforming this old-vine material into wines of freshness, vivacity and not least, great value!

The entire estate is certified organic and with most of the vineyards being planted pre-1940 the yields are naturally low and all harvesting is done by hand. Xavier is looking for wines that are fresh, mineral, and long so the wines are made with a light touch and little or no SO2 during vinification. Bottled with a minimal, yet prudent level of SO2, the finished wines show vibrant aromatics and a level of detail rarely seen from these appellations.