Marc Brédif...
MARC BRÉDIF, is one of the oldest and the
largest Vouvray Houses in existence, with a wine heritage dating
back to 1550. Purchased in 1980 by Baron Patrick de Ladoucette a
new lease of life has been given to this venerable estate, with
investment in a modern winery and maturation facilities but with
the same emphasis on quality and tradition.
The cellars of Marc Brédif are among the
biggest and most beautiful of the Appellation. Dating back to
the 8th Century, the chalk extracted from these cellars was used
to build the magnificent Chateaux of the Loire Valley.
Marc Brédif owns some of the best vineyards
in the Vouvray Appellation. Their wines have the capacity and
quality to age for many many years, testimony to this are
examples of old Vouvray wines in Brédifs cellar dating back to
1874.
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Vouvray 2005 |
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Bin No |
PARA/180 |
Size |
1 x 75cl |
Price |
£11.65 |
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Grape Varieties:
100% Chenin Blanc, sourced from the estate of Marc Brédif where the
vineyards lie on the first slopes above the river in Vouvray and
Vernou-Sur-Brenne, on chalky-clay soils. Brédif also sources grapes
from growers in the region with whom long relationships have been
established. The vines are on average 20-25 years old. Harvesting is
done by machine or hand depending on the site but yields never
exceed more than 50hl/ha.
Vinification: After harvest the grapes are quickly
transported to the winery to avoid oxidation. Each parcel of grapes
from different locations will be vinified separately. The grapes
were very ripe due to the favourable vintage with a natural
potential alcohol of 12°-14.5°.
Grapes are gently pressed by a pneumatic action. This avoids any
harshness that comes when pips and skins are crushed. The pressings
are rigorously selected to ensure only the finest quality juice is
present in the final assemblage. The juice is then left for 18 to 24
hours to cold settle before fermentation.
Fermentation occurs in stainless steel at a controlled temperature
of 18°. This process is carried out very slowly and may even last up
to two months. The wine will then be transferred to glass-lined vats
where it will be stored in contact with its lees for anything up to
9 months. Keeping the wine in contact with its lees imparts great
flavour and body into the wine. No oak aging is needed at any stage.
The wine is then bottled, and stored in the cellars for a further
period of aging. On release it will have acquired around 12.5%
alcohol and a residual sugar content of around 12g, putting it in
the ‘off-dry’ category. Brédif produces around 15,000 cases each
year of this wine.
Tasting Note: This wine has a bright, pale golden-colour. On the
nose there are intense peach and apricot fruits combined with the
almost wooly scent that is so classic of great Chenin Blanc. The
palate shows good, bracing acidity, a hallmark of the Loire, with
rich rounded, peachy fresh fruit and a herbaceous complexity. The
acidity is naturally balanced by the slight residual sugar making
this an exceptional wine. Drinking well now this wine has the
potential to age 5-10 years. |
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