2018 Anjou Rouge 'Les Mines', Domaine Andrée
Les Mines is a parcel of 45 year old Cabernet Franc vines. Les Mines is aged in barrel (30% new) for two years before being bottled. The wine is named “Le Mines” (The Mines) because the color of the soil (black biscay) looks like a coal mine. Stephane believes the particular variety of metamorphic rock is black from its high coal & graphite content. That particular geology imparts a unique sense of minerality in the wine.
This has vibrant fruit on the nose, showing sweet plum, blackcurrant fruit lifted by leafy tobacco in an attractive and perfumed seam. The palate is bright, with a supple texture and a moreish delicacy to the the perfumed fruit. It feels stony, vibrant and fresh in the mouth with warm harmony, lovely complexity and a fine finish. With a couple years in the bottle already courtesy of Stephane, this is great drinking and showing nice complexity already. Finesse
Over the past decade Anjou and its chenin blanc-based whites have gained a solid reputation for their remarkable depth, particularly among white Burgundy lovers seeking an affordable alternative. The reds, made from Cabernet Franc and/or Grolleau, have long been popular as a sort of alternative to Bourgueil and Chinon.
I was introduced to Stéphane Erissé a few years ago by Antoine Foucault of the Domaine du Collier. Stéphane came to winemaking late in life, he first worked in the building industry before embarking on the profession of vigneron in 2011. Since that time he's ben working with the Foucault's and also from Cyril Fhal of Roussillon's Clos du Rouge Gorge - for work in the vines and the cellar, one could not have two better teachers!
He named his estate, which is located in the Anjou, after his grandmother Andrée.
This has vibrant fruit on the nose, showing sweet plum, blackcurrant fruit lifted by leafy tobacco in an attractive and perfumed seam. The palate is bright, with a supple texture and a moreish delicacy to the the perfumed fruit. It feels stony, vibrant and fresh in the mouth with warm harmony, lovely complexity and a fine finish. With a couple years in the bottle already courtesy of Stephane, this is great drinking and showing nice complexity already. Finesse
Over the past decade Anjou and its chenin blanc-based whites have gained a solid reputation for their remarkable depth, particularly among white Burgundy lovers seeking an affordable alternative. The reds, made from Cabernet Franc and/or Grolleau, have long been popular as a sort of alternative to Bourgueil and Chinon.
I was introduced to Stéphane Erissé a few years ago by Antoine Foucault of the Domaine du Collier. Stéphane came to winemaking late in life, he first worked in the building industry before embarking on the profession of vigneron in 2011. Since that time he's ben working with the Foucault's and also from Cyril Fhal of Roussillon's Clos du Rouge Gorge - for work in the vines and the cellar, one could not have two better teachers!
He named his estate, which is located in the Anjou, after his grandmother Andrée.
