2021 Noëlla Morantin 'Mon Cher' Gamay

Region: Touraine < Loire Valley < France
Grape: Gamay
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Organic farming (certified by Ecocert in 2008); fermented whole-cluster and then aged in both 500 liter barrels and tanks; bottled unfined/unfiltered with <20ppm added SO2; 12% ABV

• Woman winemaker - Noëlla Morantin!
• Fruit from Gamay vineyards formerly owned by Loire royalty, the Clos Roche Blanche winery
• One-woman project that started with working for some of Loire Valley natural pioneers, then renting vineyards from them, to today owning all of her own vines, six hectares in total
• She doesn't deal with AOC politics so intentionally declassifies all her cuvées to Vin de France 
• Light, pretty, classic Loire Gamay - crunchy fred fruit, earth, violets and autumn spice