Odyssée VdF 2020

Wine description for Odyssée VdF 2020 by Les Poëte

Colour & appearance

A pale, translucent cherry red, revealing distinct violet reflections in the glass. This visual transparency is the first promise of a wine defined by lightness rather than opulence.

Nose

Initially, the Odyssée reveals a side reminiscent of the great, cool moments of the Loire. Small red berries and sour cherries dominate, underscored by a hint of rosehip and a fine trace of cassis. With increasing exposure to oxygen, the bouquet gains depth: notes of light tobacco, tree bark and a touch of leather emerge, flanked by a delicate peppery spice.

Palate

On the palate, the impression of finesse is confirmed. The red fruit emerges clearly, embedded in a fine spicy note. Remarkable is the savoury grip of the tannin structure, which provides a firm framework for the wine despite its slender stature. It is this elegant presence that makes the difference – a wine that convinces through coolness and structure without ever seeming heavy.

Finish

The finish is marked by persistent freshness and a saline note that allows the interplay of fruit and fine tannin structure to linger long after. A finish that reflects the precision of the Loire’s limestone soils rather than the warmth of the 2020 vintage.

Terroir & origin

The fruit for this Pinot Noir comes from parcels in Reuilly. Here, the vines grow on a mosaic of soils: predominantly clay-limestone subsoils interspersed with pebbles and red sand. This geological diversity lends the wine its complex texture and characteristic tension.

Grape variety & vinification

Guillaume Sorbe vinifies this single-varietal Pinot Noir using whole bunches. Spontaneous fermentation takes place with minimal extraction to preserve the delicate fruit. Maturation over three years in used 400- and 600-litre casks ensures gentle ageing without the wood dominating the aromatics.

Food recommendations

A versatile partner for refined cuisine. It pairs particularly well with quail with Puy lentils and beetroot or with pork medallions in a rosehip and cherry vinegar butter sauce. This wine also finds a convincing match with mature cheese such as Brie de Meaux, baked with caramelised onions and pistachios.

Special features

Since the 2018 vintage, the Odyssée has been declared as a Vin de France, giving the winemaker the freedom to define his style beyond appellation boundaries. It is a wine that seeks lightness and transparency – a quiet yet assertive representative of its kind that reveals its full stature when decanted and served in large glasses.