Sylvain Martinez with his 2008 Goutte d'O
I was very impressed with Sylvain's 2007 Goutte d'O (100% Chenin) when I tasted it in the UK, where it is imported by Les Caves de Pyrène, so it was good to meet him at the Renaissance tasting in Angers (31st January).
Sylvain is very much a 'boutique' producer with just two hectares of vines and is based in Chemellier in the Aubance between Brissac-Quincé and Saint-Georges-les-Sept-Voies. On tasting the 2008 Goutte d'Or I'm a little less convinced than I was with the 2007. The nose is more oxidative, although the taste is clean and long. I expect I will probably get the chance to taste this again at Les Caves tasting in London next month.
Traditionally Grolleau Noir has been the major component of Rosé d'Anjou but there are a number of the 'Renaissance style' producers making their Grolleau Noir into a red wine. I tasted Sylvain's 2009 Grolleau Noir, which is not yet in bottle. It has some attractive, ripe fruit – typical of 2009 – but is a bit rustic, which tends to be a characteristic of Grolleau Noir. Will be interesting to taste this once it has been bottled. Nothing wrong with a bit of rough trade – who needs sophistication all the time!
Sylvain Martinez
13 Rue de la Croix Moron, 49320 Chemellier
Tel: 02.41.68.48.41
