Cheverny (Red) 2019

This wine is a blend of 65% Pinot Noir, 30% Gamay and 5% Malbec (Côt). It is an infinitely versatile red, with delicious dried cherry and black currant notes, lots of spices and silky tannins. Amongst the most drinkable reds we’ve had in a good while. Enough structure and complexity to be interesting, enough interest to be happily consumed by all. And at a great price that makes you want to open bottle after bottle.

Domaine de Veilloux is a small estate in a quiet part to the Loire Valley near Cheverny. It has been a family owned the estate since the French Revolution, and was taken over by Michel and Sylviane Quenioux in 1994. Michel, a firm believer in the health and environmental benefits of organic and biodynamic farming, implemented these practices from the start and obtained their certification in 1998. The domain now includes just over 25 hectares, all of which are grown using sustainable, organic methods. The Côt (Malbec) used in this wine is a rare variant called ‘Le Madeline’, an rare variety that is historically grown only in this small corner of the region and has all but disappeared.

Vinification: Vines from 5 to 30 years-old grown on clay and limestone soils. All grapes are hand harvested, totally destemmed and each varietal is macerated separately for 4 to 7 weeks in stainless steel vats. Aged in old oak barrels for one year. The wine is then bottled, with no fining and a light filtration.

Match it with: Charcuterie, roast chicken with herbs, bouillabaisse, grilled salmon.