Sebastien du Petit Thouars was on good form at the Salon des Vins de Loire and it was great to taste through the current range with him and his winemaker Clement.
2022 was a difficult year for the domaine with a random hailstorm wiping out 50% of their total production (as well as damaging quite a few windows of the ancient chateau and putting their car off the road!).
Clement, the new winemaker (well he’s been installed for a little while now but his own mark is just beginning to show), has definitely made some changes and they all seem to be for the good.
The estate is moving towards organic certification and the wines have taken on a slightly more modern approach I’d say.
Les Foux, a lovely sparkling rosé made from Cabernet Franc grapes is a good example. Bright grapey fruit and while dry and crisp on the palate, not austerely so despite having no dosage.
The 2021 Chenin (made when the old and new winemakers were working in tandem), has a ripe style on the nose but nice freshness on the palate and a lovely saline note. There’s more Chenin to come as Sebastien planted a new parcel a couple of years ago and that will come online this year.
In 2022 the chateau made just 2 reds, Les Georges and L’Epée. Les Georges is normally a light style of Cab Franc made from just free run juice but on this occasion it’s got a little press juice as well and that takes it in a whole different direction. It’s got good concentration of fruit and is more intense than we’ve come to expect but this is a reflection of making the best wines possible in the given circumstances.
Compare that with the 2021 with just a teensy sprinkling of press wine. Still rich and colourful but much lighter and softer on the palate. Here, a reflection of the vintage year.
The 2020 Les Georges was tasting much more savoury in character and has more extraction.
I think it’s fair to say the Clement is vinifying with a lighter hand and we can expect that to continue. We look forward to seeing Chateau du Petit Thouars go from strength to strength.
