Clau de Nell "Cuvée Violette" Anjou, Loire, France, 2018

Overview of the Wine
A young estate founded in the early 2000s rearing to produce biodynamic wines out of the village of Ambillou-Château, in Maine et Loire, between Angers and Saumur, ended up catching the eye of Anne-Claude Leflaive and her husband Christian Jacques of the famed Domaine Leflaive in Puligny-Montrachet. This duo from Burgundy was eager to help another Domaine that equaled their passion for biodynamic winemaking and desire to make great wines. In a turn of events, the original owner facing difficulties had to sell the Domaine, which Leflaive purchased in 2008. Leflaive appointed a new manager, and the daughter of Anne-Calude and Christian even joined. This new team began planting a few more vineyards in the area with mainly Chenin Blanc. However, the real beauty of this estate is the old Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon Vines that had been planted 60-70 years ago on beautiful clay, flint, and tuffeau stone soils.

Natural and organic.

Grape / Blend
67% Cabernet Franc, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon

Origin
Loire, France

Tasting Notes
he resulting wine is incredible, checking nearly every box for a great red from the Loire but with a bit of a twist with the addition of Cabernet Sauvignon, which Stephan Reinhardt calls one of the highlights of the vintage. The 2018 Violette is one of the all-time best wines to come from this estate yet.

96 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Anjou Violette is deep rich and very intense but elegant on the pure and refined nose with dark fruit tea and kumquat aromas. Full-bodied deep and generous on the palate this is a full-bodied rich and generous silky-textured refined and tensioned Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon blend that is one of the highlights of the vintage. Fabulous! A must buy! Tasted at the domaine in June 2021.

92 Points - Wine Spectator
Svelte moderate tannins envelope plum and cassis notes in this medium-bodied red with details of loamy earth savory spice tobacco and forest floor. Complex and harmonious. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2031. 500 cases made 98 cases imported.

91 Points - Vinous
The 2018 Anjou Cuvée Violette is full-bodied and rounded offering a soft embrace. True to its name it does smell of violets as well as wood smoke spice and dark black fruits. There's concentration here no doubt due to the low yields off 70-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon vines and the 45-year-old Cabernet Franc. The tannins have been well handled and provide a frame of chalky structure. The merest whiff of barnyard meets the florals on the finish but it's kept in check.

Product size: 750ml