Petite's note: A lively and fresh Malbec from the Loire Valley. A hugely drinkable big red balancing crunchy and fruit-forward notes with a ton of minerality and wet earth. Tastes like a fresh rain in a field of overripe strawberries. Les Maison Brûlées is located in Pouillé in the Loire Valley. Founded by Michel and Beatrice Augé, it was one of the very first biodynamic cooperatives in France. Today it is run by Paul and Corinne Gillet. Originally from Alsace, they owned a small shop that sold quality products and natural wines. After moving to Argentina and having opened a restaurant, they decide to return to France and produce wine. Paul studies oenology for a year, and starts collaborating with Bruno Schueller. In 2012 he meets Michel & Béatrice Augé, works with them, and a year later when Michael is ready to go to the pensine, he offers Paul to take over the domaine. Today the domaiane, certified demiter, spread over nine hectares, of which 6 are vineyards. The soils consist of flint and clay, with calcareous subsoils. Gamay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Pineau d'Aunis, Côt, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Menu Pineau and Chardonnay. Paul uses an old coquard press, which is a great square press for champagne that allows for slow squeezing. The grapes are vinified with their natural yeasts, and the fermentations are slow, giving complexity to the wines. The wines are not filtered, and are bottled by gravity.
