2009 Domaine de Belle Vue Sauvignon Gris VdP

2009 Domaine de Belle Vue Sauvignon Gris VdP

Domaine de Belle Vue is a fairly new addition to the Loire wine-scape although the winemaker has made wine in the region for many years…..Jerome Bretaudeau set up the estate in 2005, running 8 hectares in the Muscadet Sevre et Maine AOC in two separate plots…..Muscadet is his main focus and we’ll focus on those later down the track but now….we’re here to talk about is Sauvignon Gris and this particular baby is designated as a Vin de Pays du Val de Loire.

Sauvignon Gris….also know as Fié Gris…..is a pink-skinned mutation of Sauvignon Blanc. It carries a similar level of acidity to its cousin but tends to bump out a few more baume, a little more texture, less in-your-gob aromatics and a little more richness on the palate.

Notoriously low-yielding and temperamental, Sauvignon Gris is going though a bit of a renaissance after, at one stage, flirting with extinction and now is planted mainly in Graves in Bordeaux and Chile. In the past it has been used as a blender but, as you’ll see here, in the hands of a good winemaker it is more than capable of strutting its stuff centre stage.

Pale straw in the glass showing aromas of racy citrus fruits….grapefruit & lemon with some nashi pear in the mix for good measure. There are hints of nougat,minerals, marzipan, fennel, cream and a slight sappy/resinous edge that is quiet enchanting…..it’s almost like a green bean character.

On the palate the wine is energetic in its initial attack with vibrant grapefruit, lemon and crunchy pear fruit. That sappy/resinous note on the nose carries over onto the palate creating mystery and interest and there are hints of cream, minerals, custard apple, peach, soft spice, almond paste, nougart and light herbal notes.

Lovely texture on the palate, a nervy disposition, plenty of sapid, minerally acidity and a lemony/nougat, persistent finish. Not an overly cerebral wine but one that is great drinking….if only the scallop bloke was still at the farmers markets…..anyhoo…..tonight it will be consumed with squid, chorizo and black bean salad.

Imported by Andrew Guard Fine Wines.

Price: $28 – Closure: Cork – Alcohol: 12% – Source: Cellar – Tasted: 1/2/11 Root Day

Sauvignon Blancs souped-up cousin