Latest Releases from La Grapperie

Renaud Guettier of La Grapperie was in town last week to show his latest releases. If you are not aux fait with his wines yet, let this be your moment! Much like his friend Jean-Pierre Robinot, he produces whites from Chenin Blanc and reds from Pineau d'Aunis across some of the best terroir that the Loire valley has to offer. 

Everything was tasting so good I thought it would be useful to provide a rough guide on each cuvée as they all offer a completely different drinking experience. 

I drank an older bottle of La Grapperie Chenin Blanc whilst out for lunch at Quality Wines in Farringdon on Saturday and it was beautiful! These wines are so gastronomic and age superbly if you can be patient enough. 

THE EASIEST DRINKING OF THE NEW CHENIN BLANC CUVÉES

Premières Tries 2023 is the most straight-up of the newly released Chenin Blancs but don't be mistaken, this is still complex and full of energy. It's just less round and developed than other wines from Renaud. Acid driven, with a citrus and mineral focus, there is a touch of sweet and umami complexity but you could still enjoy this bottle without food. 

A RICH AND COMPLEX CHENIN, STILL WITH ROOM TO AGE

Le Pressoir de St Pierre 2020 dials everything up a notch. Made with grapes from 80 year old vines and aged in barrel for a year, the complexity will have your palate in awe. Deep and profound mineral characteristics alongside rich and developed citrus and stone fruits. A wine that deserves a food pairing. This will keep getting better for years to come. 

A UNIQUE AND SPECIAL CHENIN BLANC MADE UNDER FLOR

La Diablesse 2020 is a cuvée Renaud has only previously made twice as conditions need to be perfect. Chenin Blanc aged for 3 years in barrels that were not topped up. So oxidative winemaking that encouraged the growth of a veil of flor across the surface of the wine in the barrel. Just about everything going on here, the complexity hits whole new levels. Rich, full bodied and wild with umami notes but also a hint of sweetness. Such a beautiful wine to have with a vast array of dishes as it can stand up to nearly anything. We will definitely be saving a couple of these in the cellar to see just where it takes us in a few years!

THE RETURN OF A CLASSIC

Adonis 2023 is a red cuvée made from the wonderful Pineau dAunis variety. We are always a fan of this iconic wine but the 2023 vintage is already tasting especially good! 2022 had some harsher tannins that needed time to soften but those are not present here. All the delicate and perfumed red fruit notes that we want alongside that brilliant peppery character. Superb.

We didn't receive huge quantities of these wines so if you are interested, don't waste any time..

Happy Drinking