2020 ORTHOGNEISS

100% Melon de Bourgogne

Grapes are sourced from a 3ha parcel of 45-55 year old vines with a sub-soil of orthogneiss (metamorphosed igneous rock where minerals are arranged in bands). They are gravity fed into tanks and fermented with wild yeast. Aged on the lees underground for 15-18 months.

NOTES: The Muscadet with the broadest shoulders in the Domaine de l'Ecu lineup, Orthogneiss is layered, complex and almost creamy but with a razor-edged acidity. In the 2020 vintage, the domaine was told their Muscadets were "atypical" for the appellation. Rather than fight it or resubmit for tasting, Ecu pivoted and bottled the wine as VdF. As is customary, VdF wines cannot list a vintage on the label.

2021 JANUS

100% Chardonnay

Fermented with native yeasts and aged in concrete for 9 months. Bottled unfined, unfiltered. 

NOTES: Elegant nose with pronounced iodized and mineral notes, notes of green seaweed, citrus fruits and lime zest. Relatively powerful and round mid palate with notes of orchard fruit and citrus zest. Vinified without added So2, this is an "off the beaten path" Chardonnay.

2020 SOLE

100% Chenin Blanc (2h plot planted on Orthogneiss subsoil) 

Aging in concrete vats, bottled without fining or filtration, micro-dose of sulphur.

Powerful and complex nose with notes of pear, exotic fruits, jasmine, hint of blood orange. Supple, ample and round on the palate with a long and saline finish carried by pretty bitters and notes of green almond.

2020 TAURUS

100% Melon de Bourgogne (50+ yr old vines)

Aged a total of 24 months: 12 months on the fine lees in underground concrete tanks, then 12 months on the fine lees in old burgundy barrels. No fining or filtration. 

NOTES: mineral-driven nose with aromas of lemon, grapefruit, white flowers and toasted almonds. The palate is rich and textured, with powerful energy and vivacity that brings incredible balance and length *only 3,500 bottles produced

2020 VIRTUS

100% Cabernet Sauvignon (30+ yr old vines)

Fermented in stainless steel and aged in concrete for 24 months. Unfined and unfiltered, smidge of sulfur at bottling in spring. 

NOTES: Dark berry aromas with a bit of peppery spice, followed by a charming mid-palate and fine tannins.

2019 MEPHISTO 

100% Cabernet Franc (planted in granitic subsoils)

At harvest, all fruit is received in the winery via gravity (no pumps). Destemmed, 12 day cuvaison, all indigenous yeast fermentation. Aged in combination of amphora and old barrles for 15 months. Zero sulfur added.

NOTES: Expressive nose dominated by aromas of small black berries and white pepper. Fred sought finesse from beginning to end; and, his respect for the potential power and elegance Cabernet Franc are evident in the glass. This wine is a real charmer.

2018 ANGE 

100% Pinot Noir

Macerated 7 to 10 days, whole bunch with native yeasts. Aged without SO2 in amphoras for 12 to 18 months. No fining, no filtration.

NOTES: a Pinot combining grace, vigour, strength and voluptuousness. Silky attack, great complexity combining power and delicacy, bright fruit with ripe blackberries, intense notes of blue flowers, violet and delicate notes of spice. Superb finish. The perfect bottle to tuck away in your cellar for a few years. *only 2600 bottles produced

2018 PAX

70% Syrah, 30% Grenache

The grapes are destemmed and fermented for ten days without pumpovers. Aged in 800L amphoras for 9 months and bottled unfined, unfiltered without SO2.

NOTES: Dark and dense colour with purplish reflections. Brilliant fruit with very ripe Morello cherries, liquorice, floral notes and delicate notes of sweet spices. Structured attack with generous notes of blackcurrant, cherry and violets. Long finish full of liveliness… a structured and full-bodied wine that will age quietly in your cellar for a few years.

2017 ASTRA

100% Gamay

Macerated whole bunch, aged in 450L amphoras for 9 months, bottled unfiltered, unfined. 

NOTES:“Gamay is the king grape variety of Beaujolais but also does very well on the slopes of the Loire. This 4-hand cuvée from the aptly named “Les Ronces” plot and made with my friend Ben Landron is proof of that if needed. So enjoy life, drink wine, drink good Gamay de Loire! Appetite comes with eating, thirst disappears with drinking, said a certain Rabelais." - Fred

*only 3,375 bottles produced

2018 REX

70% Gamay, 30% Cabernet Franc

Fermented 10 days, 50% whole bunches with indigenous yeasts. Aged in 160L amphorae for 9 months. Aging and bottling without adding SO2. No fining, no filtration.

NOTES:  “This 4-hand cuvée made with my friend Xavier is the result of the marriage of these two emblematic Loire grape varieties, Gamay and Cab Franc. It's a real scoundrel wine, crunchy, full of fruit.… Remember to pour yourself a good scoop as soon as you open the bottle because I predict it will come back to you empty once you have finished the table… even if you are only 3." - Fred

*1,330 bottles produced