Pierre Ménard
Anjou, Loire Valley, France
Winemaker: Pierre Ménard
Pierre Ménard
www.domainepierremenard.com
After studying wine in the Agronomic school of Angers, Pierre travelled the world to learn about the different processes and made wine in Canada, New Zealand and Hungary. Only in his late twenties, Pierre started to produce wine in the Layon in 2013, using a 100-year-old Chenin Blanc vineyard laying on schist called “Le Quart des Noëls”. The plot used to belong to his parents who withdrew some of the vines from the cooperative contract. Since his first vintage Pierre’s wines have been met with critical acclaim. There is no botrytis in his dry wines and although wines of this region have typically had botrytis, today, a number of up-and-coming young vignerons have recognised the negative impact botrytis can have on a dry wine, and they see the precision and energy that can be found in vinifying Chenin Blanc grown on the slate and schist of western Anjou totally and truthfully dry, with not a whisper of botrytis in the blend. These wines are super limited.
www.domainepierremenard.com
After studying wine in the Agronomic school of Angers, Pierre travelled the world to learn about the different processes and made wine in Canada, New Zealand and Hungary. Only in his late twenties, Pierre started to produce wine in the Layon in 2013, using a 100-year-old Chenin Blanc vineyard laying on schist called “Le Quart des Noëls”. The plot used to belong to his parents who withdrew some of the vines from the cooperative contract. Since his first vintage Pierre’s wines have been met with critical acclaim. There is no botrytis in his dry wines and although wines of this region have typically had botrytis, today, a number of up-and-coming young vignerons have recognised the negative impact botrytis can have on a dry wine, and they see the precision and energy that can be found in vinifying Chenin Blanc grown on the slate and schist of western Anjou totally and truthfully dry, with not a whisper of botrytis in the blend. These wines are super limited.
Wines current available:
2017 Laïka Vin de France - Sauvignon Blanc
"This is 100% old-vine Sauvignon Blanc, planted in the 1960s on the top of a slope of schist, an unusual arrangement for this variety, which most locals tend to plant on lesser, lower soils. A completely atypical nose here, very floral, with scents of elderflower and honeysuckle, freesia and peony. Good minerality too. Polished and plump on the palate, with orchard fruits and bitter pear skin. Cool and quite Chenin-like in its structure, with an orange-pith finish. Unique. And fascinating." 93 points Chris Kissack - www.thewinedoctor.com
2017 Clos des Mailles Anjou Blanc - Chenin Blanc
"This is a blend from all three sections in this vineyard, half from the 25-year old vines, and one-quarter each from the 100-year and 7-year old parcels, of which 80% was vinified in barrel and 20% in vat. It has a completely modern, matchsticky and reductive nose, smoky and schisty, with yellow plum, peach stone and mineral elements. It feels pure, fresh, bright and tense on the palate, with great acidity and mineral veins. Pierre rues the fact it is still carrying 2.5 g/l of residual sugar, but I don't see this at all, the wine a masterclass in modern Chenin, pure, polished, tense, mineral and overall quite beautiful." 95 points Chris Kissack - www.thewinedoctor.com
2017 Orion Alpha Anjou Rouge - Cabernet Franc
"This is 100% Cabernet Franc, from two small parcels, one in the Clos des Mailles, the vines 70-years old, on lighter soils, the fruit bringing finesse to the blend says Pierre. The second is near the house where Pierre works, where the vines are 10-years old, the soils deeper and clay-rich, which gives colour, says Pierre. A touch acetic on the nose, with a dark schisty signature. The palate feels tense, nothing acetic here, instead it is perfumed, with a silky texture, although it still feels rustic around the edges which is typical of Anjou I suppose. A short finish, gripped with tannin and mineral notes. A good effort here." 91 points Chris Kissack - www.thewinedoctor.com
2017 Cosmos Coteaux du Layon - Chenin Blanc
"This is 100% Chenin Blanc, picked in two tries, from across several parcels. The nose is simply beautiful, so pure, so clean, , so bright. The palate follows on in the same vein, although it presents evident richness in the shape of honeyed pear, peach, apricot and beeswax fruit. Yet it remains tense, fresh and elegant throughout. A excellent example of the appellation, with great classicism running through its veins." 96 points Chris Kissack - www.thewinedoctor.com
2017 Laïka Vin de France - Sauvignon Blanc
"This is 100% old-vine Sauvignon Blanc, planted in the 1960s on the top of a slope of schist, an unusual arrangement for this variety, which most locals tend to plant on lesser, lower soils. A completely atypical nose here, very floral, with scents of elderflower and honeysuckle, freesia and peony. Good minerality too. Polished and plump on the palate, with orchard fruits and bitter pear skin. Cool and quite Chenin-like in its structure, with an orange-pith finish. Unique. And fascinating." 93 points Chris Kissack - www.thewinedoctor.com
2017 Clos des Mailles Anjou Blanc - Chenin Blanc
"This is a blend from all three sections in this vineyard, half from the 25-year old vines, and one-quarter each from the 100-year and 7-year old parcels, of which 80% was vinified in barrel and 20% in vat. It has a completely modern, matchsticky and reductive nose, smoky and schisty, with yellow plum, peach stone and mineral elements. It feels pure, fresh, bright and tense on the palate, with great acidity and mineral veins. Pierre rues the fact it is still carrying 2.5 g/l of residual sugar, but I don't see this at all, the wine a masterclass in modern Chenin, pure, polished, tense, mineral and overall quite beautiful." 95 points Chris Kissack - www.thewinedoctor.com
2017 Orion Alpha Anjou Rouge - Cabernet Franc
"This is 100% Cabernet Franc, from two small parcels, one in the Clos des Mailles, the vines 70-years old, on lighter soils, the fruit bringing finesse to the blend says Pierre. The second is near the house where Pierre works, where the vines are 10-years old, the soils deeper and clay-rich, which gives colour, says Pierre. A touch acetic on the nose, with a dark schisty signature. The palate feels tense, nothing acetic here, instead it is perfumed, with a silky texture, although it still feels rustic around the edges which is typical of Anjou I suppose. A short finish, gripped with tannin and mineral notes. A good effort here." 91 points Chris Kissack - www.thewinedoctor.com
2017 Cosmos Coteaux du Layon - Chenin Blanc
"This is 100% Chenin Blanc, picked in two tries, from across several parcels. The nose is simply beautiful, so pure, so clean, , so bright. The palate follows on in the same vein, although it presents evident richness in the shape of honeyed pear, peach, apricot and beeswax fruit. Yet it remains tense, fresh and elegant throughout. A excellent example of the appellation, with great classicism running through its veins." 96 points Chris Kissack - www.thewinedoctor.com