2022 Domaine Siret-Courtaud Chateaumeillant Rouge

In the glass, it shows a bright ruby color with light purple reflections. The nose presents red cherry, raspberry, and cranberry, along with subtle floral notes and a light earthy undertone. On the palate, it is medium-light in body with fresh acidity, showing red berry fruit, a touch of spice, and a faint mineral edge. The tannins are soft and unobtrusive, giving just enough structure to support the fruit. The finish is clean and dry, with lingering red fruit and a subtle earthy note.

Wine Notes. This Châteaumeillant Rouge comes from vineyards located south of Bourges, within one of the most centrally situated appellations in France. The roughly 80 hectares of vines in the AOC are planted on predominantly sandy and sandy-clay siliceous soils, with subsoils of sandstone, mica schist, and gneiss contributing to the wine’s light structure and mineral edge. The blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir reflects the region’s traditional approach, combining freshness and red-fruited lift with a slightly more structured, nuanced profile than Gamay alone.

In the cellar, the fruit is carefully sorted before fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, preserving clarity and precision. After pneumatic pressing and a 24-hour settling period, the wine is racked onto its fine lees and aged for several months to build subtle texture without adding weight. The overall approach is direct and controlled, resulting in a wine that emphasizes clean fruit, balanced acidity, and a straightforward expression of both grape and site.

Domaine Siret-Courtaud is a small, family-run estate in the southern Loire Valley, established by Vincent Siret in 2006 after building on his father’s transition from grain farming to viticulture in the 1990s. Working alongside his brother, Vincent manages vineyard and cellar operations with a practical, hands-on approach, focusing on controlled yields, clean fermentations, and adapting to regional challenges such as frost. The domaine spans both Châteaumeillant AOC and Quincy AOC, producing wines from Gamay and Pinot Noir in the former and Sauvignon Blanc in the latter, with vineyards planted on sandy and clay soils over sandstone, schist, and gneiss. Across both appellations, the wines emphasize balance, freshness, and clarity, reflecting a restrained style and the moderate continental climate of the region.