I love all of the wines (white, red, and rose) from this young, rising-star estate of the Loire Valley, but their Grolleau really rings my bell. With its peppery, red-fruited, and super fresh personality, it's a red I could drink all day.
Domaine des Hauts Baigneux took a chance, and their risk is our reward. The rare Grolleau (groh-LOW) grape is native to the Loire Valley, and it is typically reserved for dry rose production, but Nicolas Grosbois and Philippe Mesnier wanted to showcase the beauty and potential of Grolleau bottled on its own as a red wine.
This is a rare treat folks, and if you want to taste a red wine that really gets me going, get some of this. Just 60 bottles up for grabs, and I have no idea how it will be received. Keep reading, it just gets better!
2022 Domaine des Hauts Baigneux Grolleaux
Josh's current "Freakout Wine"....get some before he buys it all!
Grolleau can be summed up with two words: CRUSHABLY DELICIOUS! This rarely seen Loire Valley variety possesses medium body, silky tannin, and zesty acidity. Imagine a red wine that was equal parts Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Pelaverga, and you'll get an idea of what's in the bottle here.
In case you hadn't heard, the 2022 vintage in the Loire was one of the best of the past 10 years. I can say with 100% certainty that this is the best vintage of this wine I've tasted, and we always take our little allocation. It's got a bit more "meat on the bone" while still maintaining wonderful freshness and elegance.
Grosbois and Mesnier produce a tiny amount of this from a certified organic site in Azay-le-Rideau, a small sub-appellation of Touraine, just east of Chinon. Fermented in tank with native yeasts, gently filtered with diatomaceous earth, and bottled with minimal sulfur, it is a true vin naturel, but it doesn't have any of the flaws I often detect in this breed of wine.
It's so freaking easy to drink, but it's also thought-provoking, and the older I get, the more I gravitate towards wines like this. Showcasing bright and juicy notes of cranberry, pomegranate, cherry, peppercorn, and stony minerality, it glides across the palate with ease, and I guarantee it will put a smile on your face :)
A perfect red for the warmer months, I recommend chilling it for 20 minutes in the fridge before pulling the cork on this wax-sealed red. Oh yeah, to get into this one, just take your wine key straight through the wax -- DO NOT try to cut the wax because you might take a finger off in so doing.
I plan to enjoy a bottle this weekend with miso-glazed salmon on coconut rice, and I guarantee you it's going to pair perfectly. Let me know if you want the recipe :) Cheers and keep drinking the good stuff Asheville Wine Lovers!
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