Violette AOC 2021

In 2006, Anne Claude and her husband Christian met the owners of the Clau de Nell vineyard. The domain in Ambillou-Château on the Loire had great potential with clay, flint and tufa soils and magnificent old vines with an average age of 60 years, some even over a hundred years old. The eight hectares of the domaine were planted with Cabernet Franc, Grolleau and Cabernet Sauvignon. The domaine was bought by Leflaives in 2008 and the vineyards were gradually expanded. Cellar master Sylvain Potin cultivates the estate according to biodynamic guidelines. All three of Anne-Claude Leflaives' children work on the estate.

The Violette is a cuvée of 66.66% Cabernet Franc and 33.33% Cabernet Sauvignon. Grown on a silty-clayey terroir consisting of pebbles

and red flint on tufa, the Cabernet franc vines are on average 45 to 55 years old, the Cabernet sauvignon vines around 70 years old.

The vineyards are treated with biodynamic preparations according to the lunar calendar; the Cab Franc yield is around 45hl/ha, the Cab Sauvignon a good 35hl/ha. Hand-picked, destemmed and gently pneumatically pressed after a 30-day maceration period with gentle submersion of the cap, the must is then fermented spontaneously in 228-litre Burgundy barrels and matured for 12 months before being racked and bottled on a fruit day.

Dark ruby red with violet reflections.

The 2021 Violette from Clau de Nell is a chameleon and smells of violets, violets and other flowers in the top note, underpinned by rich dark fruit of blackberries, mulberries and black cherries, plus some hollyhock and rosehip. The archetypal spicy notes of rose pepper and pimentos de padron, black pepper, a little clove and allspice can also be found, as well as a little cardamom and dark tobacco. Don't be afraid of large glasses or a carafe!

Perhaps the most powerful red wine from Domaine Clau de Nell is also stylish with transparent freshness and shimmering aromas. The tannin is probably most pronounced here, but nevertheless fits into the airy structure of the wine with its ethereal fruit and balsamic spice notes. The palate lives up to the promise of the nose and delivers on top of it. Muscular without a broad backbone, it is more Iggy Pop than Bruce Springsteen. Tres charming!