From: Loire Valley, France
Varietal: Gamay
Taste: This beautiful rosé is an experience of bright, tangy fruit intertwined with fresh acidity. In the glass, white peach and white stone fruit aromas are elegantly underscored by herbal notes of dandelion greens, sweet basil, and pineapple sage. On the palate, red berries - raspberry, strawberry - are punctuated by starfruit, grapefruit, lemon citrus, and minerality for days. The wine finishes gracefully on this lingering minerality that continues to leave an impression of purity and freshness.
“This grand château sits atop a hill overlooking the entire swath of the Côteaux du Layon appellation as it ambles downward toward the snaking Layon tributary to the Loire River. Through the skilled and low-intervention touch of cellarmaster Vianney de Tastes, this estate’s wines are intensely mineral, deeply typical evocations of Côteaux du Layon, Savennières and Anjou, and their evolution toward organic viticulture—now certified as such—has ratcheted up the wines’ expressiveness and dynamism. The Rosé de Loire is 100% hand-harvested Gamay—a variety whose occasional tendency toward shapelessness is counterbalanced by this cool microclimate—and “L’Astrée” is a wine of ethereally pale color and juicy but controlled fruit, pressed directly and aged for four months in stainless steel.” - Rosenthal Wine Merchants
Pairing: Pair this charming rosé with light seafood dishes (check out the recipe below!), shellfish pasta, or spicy summer salads. It finds a delightful companion in Thai or Vietnamese cuisine and offers an unexpected but enjoyable contrast when paired with fried chicken.
Fragrant Thai-Style Clams in Coconut Broth
By David Tanis
About. In the verdant heart of the Layon region, cradled amidst a palette of intensively green slopes and valleys, lies an architectural masterpiece - Chateau Soucherie. Distinguished by Rosenthal Wine Merchants as one of the most physically beautiful properties amongst all the domaines, this grand château radiates a sense of elegance that is truly unparalleled. Its view, a panorama that captures the beauty of the surrounding vineyards spiraling towards the Layon River, paints a picturesque tale that dates back to 1982.
A personal encounter from Neal Rosenthal, recalling a first visit to the estate in the early '80s, the energetic proprietor, Pierre-Yves Tijou, introduced the intricate and savory character of the wines born of the Layon and its noble varietal partner, the Chenin Blanc.
Fast forward thirty years, and their (Rosenthal Wine Merchants) bond with this magnificent domaine remains more vital than ever, continually engaged in the creation of both dry and sweet wines from the Coteaux du Layon and Savennieres, along with satisfying reds and rosés that beautifully represent the local Cabernet Franc and Grolleau.
The estate's narrative turned unexpectedly in the early 2000s when health issues compelled Pierre-Yves to sell the property. The reins of the estate were handed over to Roger Beguinot, and under his direction, the buildings and vineyards have been restored to their former grandeur, if not beyond. This rejuvenated 36-hectare property has been given a new lease of life. At the same time, the Tijou family, after a period of distress, found solace in a neighboring estate, the Chateau L'Eperonniere, that belonged to Mathieu's uncle.
Exploring the château's diverse landscapes reveals a precious bounty. Four hectares of vineyards sit in the prime vineyard of Chaume, two hectares rest in Savennieres within a single vineyard known as "Clos des Perrieres," and the remaining vineyards, wrapped around the chateau, belong to the Anjou and Coteaux du Layon appellations. The soils are predominantly limestone, clay, and schist, offering the perfect breeding ground for quality grapes.
Today, Thibaud Boudignon, Beguinot's skilled assistant, manages the estate operations and spearheads the move towards 100% organic viticulture through the principles of "agriculture integrée." Each unique vineyard site within the domaine receives the individual attention it needs to produce "lieu-dit" denominated wines.
Among the selection of wines, a noteworthy mention is the Chateau Soucherie Rosé de Loire' L'Astree' 2023. Previously a blend of Grolleau and Gamay, the rosé transitioned to 100% Gamay in 2019. Its vines, cultivated on clay, sandstone, and schist soils, birth this dry, mineral-driven rosé, a product of the direct press method of vinification, matured in caves and usually bottled in April following the harvest.
The estate's prestigious position on a hill provides an expansive view of the Côteaux du Layon appellation, flowing downwards towards the winding Layon tributary of the Loire River. This significant geographical influence, combined with the transition to organic viticulture, amplifies the expressiveness and dynamism of the wines, cementing their distinct identities within the Côteaux du Layon, Savennières, and Anjou regions.