Domaine les Pierres Ecrites
Anthony and Coralie Rassin are relative newcomers in the Loire Valley. Originally from Brittany they arrived in Montlouis in late 2015 after a successful first part of their career in the Rhone Valley.
Coralie made wines at Jaboulet and Francois Villard while Anthony was with Pierre Gonon. They met the owner of Domaine Flamand Deletang in Saint Martin le Beau at a fair. He had no family to pass the Domaine to, after a visit, Coralie and Anthony agreed to take over. They renamed it «les pierres écrites» giving a nod to the previous owner whose grandfather was a famed archaeologist of prehistoric drawings on stones in North Africa.
It was a difficult start as the first vintage 2016 was wiped out by spring frosts and the same happened pretty much every couple of years since then. Feeling sorry for them, their friends in the Northern Rhone Valley offered to help by sourcing grapes, which led to the creation of the négoce label «Dilemme» or dilemma; half Loire-half Rhône.
Les Pierres Ecrites consist of 8ha of vineyards. 5 of them planted with Chenin Blanc and the remaining with Cabernet Franc, Gamay, Grolleau and Cot. 2018 marks a new step with the move to organic viticulture. 8ha allows them to be surgically precise, especially at harvest time. Their neighbours are Jacky Blot and Francois Chidaine with whom they work very closely.
They are fortunate to have old vines from massale selection, replacing missing plants when necessary.
All sites are vinified separately, minimal intervention, no malolactic as the PH is too low and prevent it from happening. This allow the wines to be precise, lively and full of varietal goodness.
The range of wines produced celebrates Chenin Blanc in all its glory. From refreshing bubbles to lifted whites and balanced sweet wines.
The Wines
We’re quite taken how pretty this wine is really! Refined bubbles, elegant and creamy mousse and burst of freshness and red berries. This sparkling wine punches well above its weight. A must try.
This scrumptious little number is so juicy and brambly - ripe dark cherries, crushed rose petals, a hint of spice and a whack zingy minerality, with just the faintest hint of fine-grain tannins. The definition of drinkable.
There is so much going on in Les petits Boulay! Striking acidity supported by enough weight, Chenin Blanc oomph and deliciousness. Mineral to the core.
Raspingly refreshing, energetic and cleansing, this is the antithesis to the weighty, honey-soaked, off-dry Montlouis of a bygone era. I never liked the lanolin, pear juice and mead-scented styles of Montlouis, so this wine is a complete and utter revelation. It’s like Montloius has been to the gym and become lithe, fit and toned. This Chenin Blanc is tangy and angular, with fractals of superbly refined stone fruit cut with pebble-fresh acidity and a massively long finish. It is kaleidoscopic, bewildering and delectable at once. 18/20 - Matthew Jukes
The freshness here is monumental, the residual sugar is almost digested to display an incredible balance for this moelleux wine. Top wine that is so versatile it should not be served only with dessert but try to pair it with terrines, Roast chicken with herbs and lemon and umami Asian dishes.