Domaine de la Butte : Mi-Pente 2022

## Tasting characteristics and advice for the Mi-Pente 2022 from Domaine de la Butte

Tasting

Appearance
The wine reveals a deep, dark red hue, enhanced by delicate violet reflections.

Nose
The bouquet is opulent, exuding aromas of well-ripened black fruits such as blackcurrant and morello cherry. It is enriched with spicy notes of black pepper, liquorice and blond tobacco, all underlined by a chalky minerality and a subtle touch of noble vegetal character.

Palate
The attack is round and fleshy, giving way to a structure built on ripe, perfectly integrated tannins. A lovely tangy freshness balances the whole, leading to a lingering finish marked by fruit, minerality and a refreshing herbaceous touch.

Food and wine pairing

This red wine pairs wonderfully with a country-style terrine, beef bourguignon or grilled lamb chops. It will also complement roasted poultry, game or a board of mature cheeses with equal finesse.

Serving and cellaring

For optimal tasting, this wine is best served at a temperature of between 16 and 18°C, taking care to decant it for two to three hours while it is young. This wine, built for ageing, can be kept in the cellar and enjoyed until around 2036.

A lively and refined Cabernet Franc from Bourgueil

The estate

Located in the heart of the Loire Valley, this exceptional vineyard stands out for its unique terroir. It was in this privileged setting that Domaine de la Butte was created in its modern form in 2002 by the late Jacky Blot. This vineyard of around 16 hectares, planted on the hillsides, is renowned for its rigorous plot-by-plot approach and its organic viticulture. Since the passing of its founder in May 2023, his son, Jean-Philippe Blot, has been at the helm of the estate. He passionately upholds the family's exacting standards, producing red wines of great expression that faithfully reflect the uniqueness of their limestone terroirs.

The vineyard

This wine comes from an exceptional 5-hectare plot located halfway up the slope within the Bourgueil appellation. Facing due south, the vines, aged between 50 and 60 years, thrive on poor soils made up of chalky tuffeau, covered with a thin layer of clay and wind-blown sand. The estate practises demanding organic viticulture here, limiting yields to around 25 hectolitres per hectare to encourage optimal concentration in the grapes.

The vintage

2022 stood out for climatic conditions that allowed the grapes to reach a generous yet perfectly controlled ripeness, while preserving a lovely natural freshness.

Winemaking and ageing

The grapes are hand-harvested. After careful sorting and complete destemming, fermentation begins naturally thanks to indigenous yeasts in conical wooden vats. Maceration lasts around five weeks, with regular punching down and pumping over. Malolactic fermentation then takes place in wood. Finally, the wine is aged for 16 to 18 months in oak barrels, around 20% of which are new, with the remainder split between one- and two-wine barrels.

Grape variety

100% Cabernet Franc