Les Sablonnettes
Menard Rouge, 2019

Grower: Les Sablonnettes
Region: Coteaux du Layon, Loire, France
Grape Varieties: Cabernet Franc, Gamay, Groslot, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon
Viticulture: Organic and Biodynamic
Size: 75cl bottle

Christine and Joel Menard have been farming their 13 hectares of vines in the Coteaux du Layon for nearly 30 years, and have been certified biodynamic since 2007. While the region is perhaps best known for it's production of sweet wines, Joel and Christine have been quietly making an array of fabulous dry wines since the onset of the domaine. They're now joined by their son, Jeremy, in both the vineyards and the cellar, and make wines of quality at a price point not often seen anymore. The Menard Rouge is grown on schist soils and has a layered-by-variety fermentation process, with gamay going into cuve first as whole bunches, followed by grolleau and then the cab franc, with about a week's time in between each. It's a wine equal parts juicy and structured, with a touch of vegetal crunch adding intrigue behind it.