Domaine de Pallus, Messanges Rouges, Chinon, Loire, France, 2020 (top selling)

About The Producer
Bertrand Sourdais made a name for himself at Spain's upstart Dominio de Atauta, before returning to his family estate in Cravant-les-Côteaux in the heart of the Chinon appelation.

By 2010, seven years after taking the reins, Bertrand began reducing yields and converting the vineyards to biodynamic practices. This was coupled with changes in the cellar such as longer macerations and élévage to capture the true personality of Chinon and his beloved Cabernet Franc.

The flagship cuvée "Les Pensées" represents a blend of the estate's soils, combining fruit from limestone and clay for aromatics, heavier clay for power, and sand for finesse.

Before the age of 30, Chinon-native Bertrand Sourdais had already made an impressive name for himself at Spain’s upstart, Dominio de Atauta. It was his first post at the helm, following stints at Mouton-Rothschild in Bordeaux, Santa Rita in Chile, and with Alvaro Palacios in Priorat. His work and experience at Atauta, discovering a new terroir of remote ancient, ungrafted vines far away from the heart of the Ribeira del Duero appellation, gave him many invaluable lessons. The most important of these was the need to think critically about every single step in the viticulture and winery work, being careful to honor tradition, and sometimes question it, and to avoid mistakes often made by a more standard and modernist approach.

By 2003, Bertrand was determined to return to France and take up the challenge of his beloved Cabernet Franc. His family estate, Domaine de Pallus, is located in Cravant-le-Côteaux, in the heart of the appellation, and is blessed with some of Chinon’s choicest vineyards. With vines averaging over 45 years of age, Pallus held all the potential Bertrand could hope for. Taking what he had learned from Atauta, he began his quest to find the ultimate limit for Pallus and by 2010, conversion to biodynamic practices was underway. Additionally, he reduced yields to approximately 30 hl/ha.

In the cellar, Bertrand completely rethought the winemaking process. He employs an extended maceration of up to an thirty days, quite long by Loire Cabernet Franc standards, to capture the “true” personality of Chinon. Elévage is similarly long and gentle and primarily takes place in second passage barrels from elite Bordeaux estates. All in all, the wines are handled less, and bottled later, than almost any others in Chinon.

Wine Details
Primarily from the Clos de Briançon. Sand with Silex soils. Also, young vines and vines in bio conversion.

Messanges—Messanges is an old Loire Valley name for Cabernet Franc. Bertrand is using this line for a Red and Rosé from his younger vines. Vinified for immediate accessibility, they are the perfect introduction to the Pallus style.

6 months in cement tank

4,000 cases produced

Grape / Blend
100% Cabernet Franc

Origin
Chinon, Loire, France

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
With this new vintage, the Domaine de Pallus reveals the charm and seductive character of Cabernet Franc. It has a floral and spicy character that pairs well with sausages and goat cheeses

90 Points - Wine Spectator (2018)
A silky red, with a charming core of damson plum, black pepper and rosemary. The acidity here binds everything together, while the light tannins add a bit of firmness to the structure. Well-balanced and juicy, this would be great with food now. Drink now through 2028.

Product size: 750ml