Clos des Grillons Calcaires

Winemaker: Nicolas Renaud

Country: France

Region: Rhône

Sub Region: Tavel

Grape Variety: Grenache Noir, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Cinsault

For “Calcaires”, we have two separate vats that were blended: one consisting of
Bourboulenc and Grenache that underwent carbonic maceration for 11 days, and
the other consisting of Grenache Blanc and Cinsault that underwent 9 days of
carbonic maceration. The color of this red wine (yes, it is red) is closer to a dark rosé
than most red wine, though it is technically a red wine. Crushed strawberries are
very present in this wine, but we also find lots of fresh herbs such as basil, oregano,
and mint. If you don’t end up finishing the bottle first, this would pair great with
ratatouille, fresh strawberries, lasagna, and grilled sausage. Make sure to serve this
slightly chilled (50-54F).

Nicolas Renaud, a former history and geography teacher, was exposed to wine at a young age growing up near Avignon, as his father was passionate about wine and often shared his passion with his son. In 2002, Nicolas had the chance to taste the wines of Eric Pfifferling in his cellar, he knew that he wanted to make natural wine. He worked for two years with Vieille Julienne in Châteauneuf-du-Pape before he started making his own wine in 2008 in Rochefort-du-Gard.

Nicolas has plots of land that would be in the Côtes du Rhône and Tavel appellations. He has a considerable amount of old vines: some are up to 120 years old! In addition to growing well known grapes such as Grenache Noir and Mourvèdre, he also possesses some grapes that are hard to find anywhere else, such as Picpoul Gris (only 5 hectares exist in France!), Picardan, Bourboulenc, and Clairette Gris, among others. Yields are low, typically between 20-25 Hl/Ha. No additives are used in the wine making process, and typically less than 1g/L of sulfites are added at bottling, if any at all.

There is an indescribable purity that is found in the wines of Nicolas. 

-FR Wine Imports