Mondeuse & Pinot Noir, Savoie, France

A structured, coniferous and aromatic, zero-zero Savoie red blend. Camille and Mathieu Apffel work in a zero-zero fashion, with a warm-respect and keen focus on the alluring local white grapes, altesse and jacquère, as well as famed regional reds like mondeuse. Their 4.5 hectares are packed with hearty, tenderly cared for ecosystems, and feel like a safe haven to all that cross the threshold in the vast expanse of jutting mountain ranges. FUN FACT! “Soleyane” is the name of the estate that passed the healthy, 30 year-old vines on to them! Grown on clay-limestone soils, the brusk, tannic mondeuse is the star, but joined by berried, aromatic pinot noir (15%), the cuvée is undeniably picked up from a deeper, darker place, classic of mondeuse. 70% of the grapes are destemmed, while the rest are left in whole bunches for seven days of maceration to cultivate the form and fabric of this textured, gastronomic red. Hibiscus and roses, red mulberry, the smell of a spring forest floor littered with warm tree needles, munching on spruce tip lemon-y sourness & a needlepoint structure. Enjoy with summer squash, caramelized fennel and stuffed goose.