Les Gâts, Domaine de la Petite Soeur 2020

Originally from Brittany, Adrien de Mello travelled the world following a love of wine before settling in Anjou in 2015. He now farms four hectares of vineyards planted over schist in and around the village of Saint Aubin de Luigné. The vines have been farmed organically for some time, but since settling here Adrien has taken things to the next level and in just a few years has gained both organic and biodynamic certification. He plows by horse and is passionate about foraging wild plants such as nettle, comfrey, yarrow and buckthorn to prepare teas to be used in the vineyards. His care and attention to detail here produces wines with a beautiful clarity and startling purity of fruit. In the cellar Adrien’s work is defined by a lightness of touch that is characterised by gentle extractions to reveal just enough detail and nuance from the grapes and a focus on expressing the perfume of each variety whilst harnessing the incredible minerality the schist brings.

Sauvignon Blanc from two parcels, forty five year old vines planted over schist and thirty year old vines over clay. The former was macerated on the skins for five days as whole bunches, while the latter was pressed directly and the two were assembled in barriques for a short élevage. A hazy straw yellow in the glass, this draws you in with kaleidoscopic aromas of elderflower and minerals, while the palate is wonderfully loose knit and tactile. A highly original expression of the grape.

Producer  Domaine de la Petit Soeur

Origin Anjou, Loire, France

Grapes Sauvignon Blanc

Vintage 2020

Alcohol 12% ABV

Style Medium body natural white 

Bottle size 750ml 

Winemaking Manual harvested, fruit from 2 parcels, part macerated on skins for 5 days, other part direct pressed,  fermented with indigenous yeast, Unfiltred and unfined. No added sulphites.

Notes  Natural, Organic, Biodynamic