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126 Montlouis-sur-Loire AC 2007 Singulier
Bertrand & Lise JoussetGrape:100% Chenin (13% alc.)
Singulier is the Jousset’s top cuvée from a 1.1 hectare plot of 60 to 80 year old vines called le Clos Renards. This is possibly Montlouis’ best lieu-dit where the sandy, flinty soil lies just 30cm above the limestone mother rock. Aged in recent 400 ltr barrels this dry, dense, zesty, perfectly balanced wine has an exceptional mineral vibration. For drinking now to 2017.
Technical Information Winemaker: Bertrand & Lise Jousset Location: Husseau, Montlouis-sur-Loire Size of
domaine:8½ hectares taken over in January 2004. Grape: 100% Chenin. 60 to 80 year old vines in 1 parcel, ‘le Clos Renards’, a 1.1h parcel and arguably the finest lieu dit in the appellation. Massale selection. 6600 vines per hectare. Terroir: Thin sandy, flinty soil (few veins of clay also) just 30cm above the limestone (100 million year old Turonian superior age) on a well sheltered slope, facing due south towards the Cher river. Viticulture: Debudding and leaf thinning carried out but never vendanges en vert. Plough the soils (between March to July) and don’t use any synthetic products for the treatment of the vines, or any herbicide or chemical fertilisers. Aim to work with respect for the balance of nature and the vine in order to best express the typical qualities of their terroir. Prune very short with an average yield of 25 hectos per hectare. Chenin is a grape with a very thick skin, best harvested later in October for phenolic ripeness. Hand-harvested in cases of 30 kilos. Vinification: Allowed to settle for 15 to 20hrs. Pressed very gently using old horizontal press. Then, thanks to cave on 3 floors, passed by gravity (never pumped) into oak barrels (400 ltr 1, 2 and 3 years old) for its fermentation. Uses lees in between the fine and gross lees. Malolactics are allowed to happen (completed 20% in 2007). Left untouched on the lees until Sep when assembled, racked, and lightly sulphured. Bottled after 1 year. Dry, with less than 3 g/l of residual sugar. Carafing recommended for this wine. Press: