Tiptoe Through The Tilleuls
TASTING NOTES:
Venerables - “Translucent, crystalline color with green tints. Appealing nose of citrus fruits, spring scents and a mineral dimension. The palate offers up impressive rich, silky presence, intense, precise aromas and delicate freshness. Lovely.” (AbV 12%)
Essentialle - “Pale gold color, green hues, lemony accents and mandarin, iodized background. The palate is clean and fresh. Pleasant balance between a generous substance, a good acidulous fruit, and a long sappy and toned finish.” (AbV 12%)
VARIETALS: Melon de Bourgogne, of course.
BARRELS: Venerables for 14 months and Essentialle for 7 months in concrete
PAIRS WITH: Baked oysters, crustaceans and shellfish, scallops carpaccio, raw and grilled white fish.
About the Domaine des Tilleuls Estate: “The estate’s vineyards are located in the eastern portion of Vallet, one of the newly established Muscadet Crus, spread over rolling hills and small valleys. The soil consists of mica schists, which allow for the rapid flow of water and quick warming of the soil in spring to generate an early start for the vine. This crumbly rock also allows deep rooting of vines. Deeper down, the roots find clay and silt areas rich in minerals, which are useful in summer to conserve water resources. The orientation of the vines, slope, soil thickness, and age of the vines varies among the plots. Due to its geographical location, the vineyard benefits from an oceanic cool climate, south of the Loire River, 30 miles from the Atlantic Ocean that makes it ideal conditions for the production of white wines synonymous for their refreshing and bright character. Winters are relatively mild, which enables a fairly early start for the vines. Summers are relatively dry but with mild temperatures. The vines suffer little water stress and the balance between the sugars and acids in the berries allows for aromatic wines that retain freshness and minerality.”
