Our Tasting Impressions (Updated)
The Gamay adds softness, suppleness and openness. Despite playing a supporting role, its spicy, red fruit flavors are palpable. The old vines and careful selection provide depth. At 12 years old, it's earthy and subtle but the bright fruit persists. It's aging very gracefully.
About this wine
Sixty percent Pinot Noir and 40% Gamay from vines up to 40 years old planted in granite soil with yields of 35 hl/ha.
The juice of each grape is extracted through a pneumatic press, then separately vinified in steel tanks 15-18 days at controlled temperatures with pumping over twice a day. The wine is racked and filtered for sediment. Each vat is tasted and only the best selected. Half is aged in local Allier oak barrels (new, 1-year & 2-year) and half in tanks.
About the grape blend
AOP Saint Pourcain requires reds to blend Gamay and Pinot Noir.
Gamay (or fully Gamay Noir a Jus Blanc), a descendent of Pinot Noir crossed with the obscure Gouais Blanc, produces wine high in acidity and is therefore very flexible.
Pinot Noir is an ancient grape from eastern France. Notoriously challenging, it thrives in cooler climates. It can be very transparent because of its lightness and flavors of red fruit and earth.
About the vintage
Jean Louis was very pleased with the 2013 vintage. The harvest was timely and healthy. The grapes achieved optimal ripeness.
On Your Table
Enjoy with a cheese and charcuterie platter (and by all means, use the mustard). If there's any left, it can carry it over to dinner. I dare you to serve something it can't at least reasonably pair with.
Domaine de Bellevue produces about 120,000 bottles annually from its 22 hectare estate. But everything else about it seems small and intimate.
The Pétillat family owned and operated the Domaine for four generations. Several years ago, Jean-Louis sold the estate to Jacques Gautier but continued to manage the estate and winemaking. Jean-Louis retired last year and Jacques has installed a new vigneron.
Legend has it that Saint-Pourçain is France's oldest vineyard. There is evidence of Roman winemaking here as early as 50 BCE. In the middle ages, Saint-Pourçain was one of the most respected and sought after wines in France. Kings and Popes enjoyed them. Some believe the wines were more highly prized than Burgundy.
Classified as part of the Loire Valley despite being on the far southeast outskirts (not far from Macon in Burgundy). The appellation was granted AOC status in 2009. There are less than 20 growers here.
