Clau de Nell | Loire | Violette AOC | 2021 | 750ml | bio

Beschreibung

Product description for Clau de Nell Violette AOC 2021 (bio)

In 2006, Anne-Claude and her husband Christian met the owners of the Clau de Nell winery. The estate in Ambillou-Château on the Loire River possessed great potential, with soils of clay, flint, and tuff and magnificent, old vines with an average age of 60 years, some even over a hundred. At the time, the estate’s eight hectares were planted with Cabernet Franc, Grolleau, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Leflaives purchased the estate in 2008, and the vineyards were gradually expanded. Cellar master Sylvain Potin manages the estate according to biodynamic principles. All three of Anne-Claude Leflaive’s children work on the estate. The Violette is a blend of 66.66% Cabernet Franc and 33.33% Cabernet Sauvignon. Grown on a silty-clayey terroir consisting of pebbles and red flint on tuff, the Cabernet Franc vines are on average 45 to 55 years old, and the Cabernet Sauvignon vines around 70 years old. The vineyards are treated with biodynamic preparations according to the lunar calendar; the yield for Cab Franc is approximately 45 hl/ha, and for Cab Sauvignon a good 35 hl/ha. Hand-harvested, destemmed, and after a 30-day maceration period with gentle submersion of the pomace cap, gently pneumatically pressed, the must is then spontaneously fermented in 228-liter Burgundy barrels and aged for 12 months before being combined and bottled on the same day of harvest.

Colour

Dark ruby red with violet reflections.

Nose

The 2021 Violette from Clau de Nell is a chameleon, with a stylish scent of violets, violets, and other blossoms in the top note, underpinned by rich dark fruit of blackberries, mulberries, and black cherries, along with a hint of hollyhock and rosehip. The archetypal spice notes of rose paprika and pimentos de Padron, black pepper, a hint of clove and allspice are present, as are some cardamom and dark tobacco. Don’t be afraid of large glasses or a carafe!

Palate

Perhaps the most powerful red wine from Domaine Clau de Nell also presents itself with a stylish air of transparent freshness and shimmering aromas. The tannin is probably most pronounced here, but still blends into the airy structure of the wine with its ethereal fruit and balsamic spice notes. The palate lives up to the promise of the nose and delivers beyond its promises. Muscular without a broad back, he’s more Iggy Pop than Bruce Springsteen. Tres charming!

Copyright Vinaturel 2025

Keywords: Clau de Nell Violette AOC 2021 bio Loire France

Wine Advocate

Score: 86

A blend of 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon from vines planted in clay and limestone soils with flint, the 2021 Anjou Violette displays aromas of dark wild berries, violet, mulberries, spices and green bell pepper. Medium-bodied, layered and textured, it has a fleshy core of fruit and structured tannins that segue into a meaty, firm finish.
Yohan Castaing

Vinous

Score: 83

The 2021 Violette blend brings more Cabernet Franc to the blend than Cabernet Sauvignon (55% and 45% respectively), no doubt due to the cooler season. It’s a richly-scented, primary-filled wine with the mint and green capsicum tones of Cabernet Sauvignon meeting the florals and deep raspberries of Cabernet Franc. It’s a bright and energetic wine that’s shy of mid-weight, with vivacious acidity ensuring this wine keeps its line. However, farmyard and leathery tones, combined with a drying finish, can’t be ignored; these components dominate the wine’s crisp close and curtail the wine’s length. This seems to be a recurring theme and continues to sadden me every year when I taste.
— Rebecca Gibb MW
Drinking window: 2024 – 2027
Review date: Jan 2024

Producer website: https://claudenell.fr/en/home/