Reuilly ‘Les Fossiles’ Pinot Noir

Definitely a hidden gem in the Loire. About a quarter of Denis Jamain’s vineyards in the centre of Reuilly are planted with Pinot Noir. This unoaked version is a real delight, with its clean, defined morello cherry fruit, soft tannins and balancing acidity. It certainly beats many a recent Burgundy we have tasted.

• Featured in the Guardian, “The Reuilly appellation is nearer to the Cher tributary than the Loire, but its wines are a good-value match for those of the more famous addresses further east. One of the best producers here is Denis Jamain, who works his family’s 18-hectare estate biodynamically – a method of cosmic farming that, despite the fact that many of its precepts are as scientifically robust as astrology, seems to be responsible for more than its share of the world’s finest wines. Jamain has a knack with both sauvignon and pinot, with the wines of both varieties showing the brightness and verve I associate with limestone soils. His pinot is especially charming, whether it’s being used to make a dark raspberry juicy red or a very pale, very graceful stone-fruited rosé.” (David Williams, July 2022, 2020 vintage)

The Domaine de Reuilly is located in the heart of Reuilly in the eastern Loire, all 18 hectares of its vineyards are situated within the 'commune' (village). Denis Jamain inherited both vineyards and an ancient oak forest from his family, and knew he had to care for both, for future generations. Organic since 2007 and biodynamic in 2011, we are thrilled to have discovered his fine Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir wines. The terroir here is an essential component, and all the vines are facing the south west on a 15% slope. The clay and limestone soil is littered with a profusion of sea fossils and shells from over 150 million years ago, which is the reason for name and label of these wines. Tremendously expressive and pure, Denis only uses natural fermentation, very light filtering and minimal sulphur.

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