2017 Anjou, Cuvée Violette, Clau de Nell, Loire
Critics reviews
The 2017 Anjou Violette is a deep and intensely fruity but a bit volatile Cabernet blend on the nose, with blackberry and leafy aromas. Full-bodied, pure, fresh and tannic on the nose. Silky, intense and juicy on the palate, this is a fresh and stimulating bitter, fresh and tensioned Cabernet blend with kumquat aromas on the finish. Tart, a bit drying. Tasted at the domaine in June 2021.
Drink 2023 - 2040
Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate (October 2021)
About this WINE
Domaine Clau de Nell
The late Anne-Claude Leflaive, a world-renowned Burgundian Chardonnay producer, bought Domaine Clau de Nell in 2008 with her husband, Christian Jacques. Already identified as an up-and-coming Estate, having superb terroir and vines over 60 years old on average with some over 100 years, Anne Claude and her team heightened the Domaine to a new dimension.
The 8 hectares of Cabernet Franc, Grolleau, and Cabernet Sauvignon have been biodynamic since 2000. The team is making four different cuvees: Grolleau (an indigenous variety from the Loire), Cabernet Franc, Violette (both Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon), and finally a Chenin with a Burgundian flair.
Anjou-Saumur
Anjou-Saumur is a Mid-west Loire region most famous for the fine sweet Chenin Blanc wines of Bonnezeaux, Coteaux du Layon (including the exemplary - if tiny- Quarts de Chaume appellation) and Coteaux de l'Aubance.
The bulk of the wines produced in the Anjou region comprise the bland `Rosé d'Anjou' (made from the Grolleau grape) and marginally better Cabernet d'Anjou; Some smoky dry Anjou Chenin Blanc also produced.
The Saumur region's bread and butter is its Mousseux, while it also produces some dry Saumur Chenin (similar to Anjou's version) and some impressive Cabernet Franc, chalky dry thanks to the `tuffeau' soils.
Cabernet Sauvignon blend
Cabernet Sauvignon lends itself particularly well in blends with Merlot. This is actually the archetypal Bordeaux blend, though in different proportions in the sub-regions and sometimes topped up with Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot.
In the Médoc and Graves the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend can range from 95% (Mouton-Rothschild) to as low as 40%. It is particularly suited to the dry, warm, free- draining, gravel-rich soils and is responsible for the redolent cassis characteristics as well as the depth of colour, tannic structure and pronounced acidity of Médoc wines. However 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wines can be slightly hollow-tasting in the middle palate and Merlot with its generous, fleshy fruit flavours acts as a perfect foil by filling in this cavity.
In St-Emilion and Pomerol, the blends are Merlot dominated as Cabernet Sauvignon can struggle to ripen there - when it is included, it adds structure and body to the wine. Sassicaia is the most famous Bordeaux blend in Italy and has spawned many imitations, whereby the blend is now firmly established in the New World and particularly in California and Australia.
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Description
Save 10% on the 75cl bottle, previously priced at £33.00. Offer valid while stocks last. BBX listings excluded.
The 2017 Anjou Violette is a deep and intensely fruity but a bit volatile Cabernet blend on the nose, with blackberry and leafy aromas. Full-bodied, pure, fresh and tannic on the nose. Silky, intense and juicy on the palate, this is a fresh and stimulating bitter, fresh and tensioned Cabernet blend with kumquat aromas on the finish. Tart, a bit drying. Tasted at the domaine in June 2021.
Drink 2023 - 2040
Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate (October 2021)
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