Anjou Grolleau Clau de Nell 2021

The French Domaine Clau de Nell presents the Anjou Grolleau, a fresh and light red wine of exceptional finesse. The wines obtained from the indigenous Grolleau grape are characterized, in fact, by their light body and high acidity, attributes that lend themselves to being vinified as rosé, a type that during the second half of the '900 made it famous. The grape then experienced a strong decline due to the low esteem of many critics towards it, but today it is gradually returning to the limelight thanks to realities like Clau de Nell that aim to enhance it. The name of this variety derives from the French term “grolle”, which means “crow”, referring to the particularly black color of the berries.

Clau de Nell Anjou Grolleau constitutes a pure expression of the eponymous black grape variety. The vineyards are between 60 and 90 years old and are planted on clay-siliceous soils rich in gravel, red flint, and limestone. The agronomic management follows the principles of certified biodynamic agriculture and refers to the lunar calendar.lunar. The yields per hectare are kept very low in order to concentrate as much as possible the phenolic and aromatic compounds contained in the grapes. After the manual harvest and careful selection, the bunches are destemmed and crushed, with the alcoholic fermentation carried out by indigenous yeasts and accompanied by 20 days of gentle maceration on the skins. After racking and gentle pressing, the mass spends between 12 and 18 months in old French oak barrels of fifth passage. Finally, the wine is bottled without prior filtration or clarification.

The Grolleau Anjou by Clau de Nell has a ruby red color with violet reflections. On the nose, it is rich and fragrant, with notes of red fruit combined with floral and spicy hints. Distinctively fresh and delicately tannic on the palate, with a fine, smooth, and harmonious progression.