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2015 Savoie Arbin Mondeuse “Terres Brunes”
A. & M. QuenardScaling the western flank of the French Alps, the Savoie region is off the beaten path for most travelers. Yet those who do visit this mountainous haven will be thrilled to discover stunning scenery, delicious local cuisine, and a thriving Alpine wine culture based on a variety of indigenous grapes. This idyllic region hugs the western Alps, where Michel Quenard farms twenty-two hectares of vineyards along the steep, terraced slopes of the Coteau de Torméry around Chignin.
In the hands of the Quenards, a family boasting several generations’ worth of experience, the local Mondeuse grape finds a natural home here, creating wines that marry the bright, floral nature of a Pinot Noir with the juiciness of Gamay and the chewy, animal element of Syrah. Most Savoie reds are fairly light in body, but not this one: it is a thick, dense, and rather wild trip to Alpine red wine paradise. It has often been likened to a cross between Pinot Noir and Syrah: bright, elegant, and floral, with suggestions of wild fruit, blood, and minerals.
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2015 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Mondeuse |
Appellation: | Vin de Savoie |
Country: | France |
Region: | Savoie |
Producer: | André & Michel Quenard |
Winemaker: | André & Michel Quenard |
Vineyard: | 40 to 50 years, 1 ha |
Soil: | Clay, Limestone |
Aging: | Aged for 11 months, 50% in stainless steel tank, 50% in foudre |
Farming: | Lutte Raisonnée |
Alcohol: | 12% |
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About The Producer
André & Michel Quenard
The Savoie is a picture of fairy-tale perfection: snow-capped peaks, rolling hills, and sparkling mountain streams. This idyllic region is where Michel Quenard farms twenty-two hectares of vineyards along the steep slopes around Chignin. His grandfather started the domaine in the 1930s. Though he slowly increased his vineyard holdings, he mostly sold off his wine. It wasn’t until 1960 that Michel’s father, André, began bottling under their own label. Michel joined the domaine in 1976. Today, he is joined by his sons, Guillaume and Romain. Their cuvées go beyond the simple “eclectic” that categorizes wines from Savoie; they are unique revelations that reflect the complexity of their terroir and the artistry of this master.
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Vintage Chart Mentality
Vintage Chart Mentality
Trust the great winemakers, trust the great vineyards. Your wine merchant might even be trustworthy. In the long run, that vintage strip may be the least important guide to quality on your bottle of wine.—Kermit Lynch