Isabelle et Pierre Clément Menetou - Salon Rouge 2023

Bright red wine with a spicy, fruity aroma of fresh cherries, herbs, and a hint of caramel. The palate opens with a sharp edge and develops mild tannins; a jammy, fragrant finish.

 

Menetou-Salon is now known to many wine enthusiasts as a supplier of top Sauvignons. Much less well-known is the fact that they also produce superb Pinot Noirs. Due to the relatively cool climate in the Loire Valley, it's essential that the vines are planted in the right location.

The Cléments family has it all. The family selected their warmest vineyards with southerly to southeasterly exposures for the Pinot, allowing the grapes to ripen perfectly. The thirty- to fifty-year-old vines also ensure beautiful concentration.

After hand-picking, the second fermentation and maturation take place in small oak barrels. Only a third of the barrels are new, ensuring the oak influence remains beautifully subtle.

In the words of the Cléments, the result is "a truly great Pinot Noir." Enjoy it at the table with refined meat or poultry dishes, or let it age for a few more years in the bottle. A must-discover!