LES PIERRES MESLIERES Le Rocher 2023 Vin de France (Ancenis) 75cl White

Grape variety: 100% Pinot Gris, single-parcel selection.

Terroir: Predominantly clay soils, with quartzite and schist at the foot of east-facing slopes.

50% direct pressing and 50% destemmed maceration for 2 to 3 days.

Tasting notes: Maceration brings lovely structure and a more pronounced mineral character. Yellow fruits dominate the palate, which is broad, wonderfully flavourful and full of depth, leading to a long, spicy finish.

🍷 Serving temperature: 10-11°C

Based in Saint-Géréon, on the right bank of the Loire, not far upstream from the Muscadet region, former engineer Frédéric Monnier has established himself on some extraordinary, vibrant hillsides.

These slopes are surrounded by Neolithic standing stones carved from quartz, including one measuring an impressive 3.80 metres in height. Originally, there were probably 48 of these menhirs, arranged in several rows!

The vineyards face south and east, benefiting from a remarkable terroir of schist, quartz and quartzite, all set within a landscape charged with a powerful sense of the earth's ancient history.

All the wines display a striking and beautiful minerality, the hallmark of truly exceptional terroirs, reminiscent of the magnificent wines produced on the slopes of Savennières.

But there's no Chenin Blanc here…