Domaine de La Brossette, Touraine Rosé

PRODUCER

Based in Touraine, Domaine de La Brossette are a certified organic estate owned by the Delaunay family. The domaine comprises just three hectares of organic vineyards planted with Gamay and Cabernet Franc.

Thierry Delaunay sources the estate's organic Sauvignon Blanc from a winemaker friend in the neighbouring Cher Valley. It is a delightful wine, softly scented with greengage and citrus blossom. The rosé is a blend of 70% Gamay and 30% Cabernet Franc with bright aromas of raspberry and redcurrant. Its refreshing acidity creates a perfect light rosé to enjoy with canapés and salads. The red is made from 100% Gamay, offering crunchy red berry fruit notes and white pepper spice. The tannins are smooth and the fruit medium in weight with a lovely bright freshness on the finish.

VINEYARDS

Thierry Delaunay's Domaine de La Brossette is situated on the banks of the Cher Valley, 50 kilometres east of Tours near the famous Château de Chenonceau. Soils are composed of clay and silex (a mixture of flint and sand) and the pruning method is simple Guyot. The estate covers 3 hectares and is certified organic. The rosé is a blend of Gamay and Cabernet Franc.

VINTAGE

The 2023 vintage in the Loire began with a cool and relatively rainy winter which replenished soil water reserves after the hot and dry 2022 vintage. The vineyards largely escaped the threat of spring frosts and flowering and fruit set took place under excellent dry and sunny conditions at the end of May. It was very dry during July and August and some welcome showers arrived in September and gave the vines a necessary boost to complete the final stages of ripening. The harvest began in mid-September and the quality of the fruit was excellent.

VINIFICATION

Each variety underwent a gentle pressing separately using a pneumatic press, to carefully extract just the right amount of colour. Fermentation took place over a period of 20 days at a controlled temperature of 16°C, in stainless-steel tanks to retain the fresh primary fruit aromas. The wines were then blended and kept on fine lees for a short period, to add depth and weight to the finished wine.

TASTING NOTES & TECHNICAL DETAILS

This wine is pale pink in colour. The nose has bright aromas of raspberry and redcurrant. The palate is round with lovely concentrated red-berry fruit flavours and subtle mineral notes on the finish.