Introducing wines from the Loire valley can be a challenge, particularly when the style of wine represents a real departure from what you are used to drinking. This weekend we had a lovely group from Poland who are regular drinkers of Georgian wines. Quite a contrast to the reds from the Loire valley, they found our local reds very light in style. We tasted a whole host of wines during the weekend including whites from Sancerre, Anjou and the Layon and reds from Saumur Champigny, Anjou-Villages-Brissac, Chinon and Bourgueil. The clear winner for them was Domaine de St Just’s Clos Moleton, AOC Saumur Champigny 2010.
Domaine de St Just was created in 1996 and today is run by Arnaud Lambert. The vineyards are organic and are split between two domaines, the vineyards of Domaine de St Just and those of nearby Chateau de Brezé (taken on in 2009).
Arnaud Lambert of Domaine de St Just
Clos Moleton 2010 is a Cabernet Franc wine that comes from a clay/limestone parcel. 2 years in oak barrels (varying from new to 2 wine) have given it a lovely complexity and spicy quality. The 10’s have lovely fresh acidity which makes them very attractive young but it’s clear that this wine is just going to get better and better over time. With notes of liquorice and chocolate, smoky ripe red fruits and lovely concentration it’s easy to see why this wine hit the spot with our guests. We love it too and it was a perfect match with the duck confit and lentils that we served for lunch.
Domaine de St Just, rue de la Prée-Mollay, 49260 St-Just sur Dive
02 41 51 62 01
