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Philippe Foreau - Domaine du Clos Naudin, Sparkling Brut

Loire Valley, France 2010 (750mL)
$34.00
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Fruit
Earth
Body
Tannin
Acid
Alcohol

Philippe Foreau - Domaine du Clos Naudin, Sparkling Brut


Philippe Foreau’s property, the Domaine du Clos Naudin, is located in the northeast corner of Vouvray. The property is comprised of two single vineyards, Les Perruches and Les Ruettes, with vine age spanning between 20 and 90 years. These parcels are planted entirely to Chenin Blanc. All farming is organic with no chemical or systemic treatments. It is perhaps most important to mention that this is an extremely small property; despite a legendary “best in appellation” reputation that creates near limitless demand for the estate’s wines, the family refuses to increase in size. So, every year they quietly produce between 3,000-5,000 cases of wine—a fraction of which comes into the US where it is eagerly absorbed by the demand of sommeliers and collectors.

For this particular bottling the grapes are sourced from the younger vines on the estate and harvested a touch early to capture optimal acidity. Bunches are harvested by hand, the grapes are sorted by hand to ensure superlative quality, fermentation occurs in steel tanks, and then the wine is left to age on its lees for 4 years years on lees more in bottle. Keep in mind that 48 months is an eternity in the context of conventional sparkling wine production, and is an immense drain of resources and deferred profit for the estate. The effort is well worth it though and this particular bottling is one of the undisputed classic sparkling wines of the world. You will hear many say the 2010 vintage is one of the greatest vintages France has seen in many years, delivering near perfect wines from each appellation. There is no doubt that this wine worth stocking up on.  

The 2010 Foreau Brut has a golden yellow color moving to a golden rim with subtle green reflections. The powerful aromas show dried yellow apple, white pear, chamomile tea, wet wool, beeswax, honey and oyster shells. The palate is slightly creamy in texture with notes of yellow apple, hazelnuts and wet flowers. There is a rich brioche flavor and serious Chablis-like minerality on the finish. Ideally drink this wine in a Burgundy glass at close to 50 degrees. About 10 minutes after you pour the glass, it begins to speak, so be patient and let a bit of the carbon dioxide dissipate as the texture fills out. This wine is incredible now, but each year you age it, there will be layers of complexity which show themselves so I would recommend putting some bottles away for 3-4 years. If you read our offers you will notice one of my favorite all time pairings with creamy sparkling wines with extended lees aging is fried chicken. This simple pairing is one of life’s great pleasures. The best recipe I have found is by Thomas Keller from the French Laundry—follow this recipe for an incredible evening.
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Country
France
Region
Loire Valley
Sub-Region
FranceVouvray
Soil
Clay, Flint, Limestone
Farming
Organic
Blend
Chenin Blanc
Alcohol
12.5
OAK
None

France

Bourgogne

Beaujolais

Enjoying the greatest wines of Beaujolais starts, as it usually does, with the lay of the land. In Beaujolais, 10 localities have been given their own AOC (Appellation of Controlled Origin) designation. They are: Saint Amour; Juliénas; Chénas; Moulin-à Vent; Fleurie; Chiroubles; Morgon; Régnié; Côte de Brouilly; and Brouilly.

Southwestern France

Bordeaux

Bordeaux surrounds two rivers, the Dordogne and Garonne, which intersect north of the city of Bordeaux to form the Gironde Estuary, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The region is at the 45th parallel (California’s Napa Valley is at the38th), with a mild, Atlantic-influenced climate enabling the maturation of late-ripening varieties.

Central France

Loire Valley

The Loire is France’s longest river (634 miles), originating in the southerly Cévennes Mountains, flowing north towards Paris, then curving westward and emptying into the Atlantic Ocean near Nantes. The Loire and its tributaries cover a huge swath of central France, with most of the wine appellations on an east-west stretch at47 degrees north (the same latitude as Burgundy).

Northeastern France

Alsace

Alsace, in Northeastern France, is one of the most geologically diverse wine regions in the world, with vineyards running from the foothills of theVosges Mountains down to the Rhine River Valley below.

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