CLAU DE NELL CUVEE VIOLETTE 2014 - ANNE CLAUDE LEFLAIVE

Clau de Nell Cuvee Violette is an important part of France's modern wine history and a deeply emotional wine, one of those that we know you love as much as we do! It is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon from the Loire which will surely become one of your favorite red wines.

She was a descendant of the famous Leflaive family, so she took over the family estates at Cote d’Or in 1990 and immediately began experimenting with organic and biodynamic cultivation. This was a very bold move as the climate of Burgundy makes organic farming very difficult. By 1997, biodynamic farming had been implemented throughout the estate and she had become a leading figure in the biodynamic movement. That’s how she became the Grande Dame of Burgundy. Her estate in Burgundy was constantly gaining awards and as a highlight, in 2006, the Decanter named her "Best White Wine Winemaker" in the world!

Anne Claude Leflaive was a restless spirit and after Burgundy, she decided to turn her attention elsewhere and specifically to the Loire. In 2006 she bought the Clau de Nell winery, with her husband, Christian Jacques. They chose it because of its unique terroir, consisting of a mosaic of different soils, but also because of its old vines. These old vines are behind the Clau de Nell Cuvee Violette. Specifically, the Cabernet Franc vines are 45-55 years old, while the Cabernet Sauvignon vines are 70 years old.

Biodynamic cultivation and manual harvesting form the basis. This is followed by fermentation with indigenous yeasts and aging in (what else?) Burgundy oak barrels for 5-7 months. Clau de Nell Cuvee Violette is bottled unfiltered and is simply perfect!

It has medium ruby color and intense aromas of violet, lavender, strawberry, cherry, sour cherry, plum, tea, wet stone, leather and pepper.

Delightful mouthfeel, with medium body, crisp acidity and silky tannins. Cherry, red plum, raspberry, blueberry, black tea, violet, pepper, nutmeg and leather make up a delicious ensemble.