2020 Philippe Tessier Toc

WINEMAKER: Philippe Tessier REGION: Loire Valley, FR VARIETAL: Côt VITICULTURE: Certified Organic

This is 100% malbec (or Côt) hence the name (Toc, backwards) but also a play on words ('toc' meaning 'fake' as it falls out of the appellation for not being a blend). Anyway, this is good juice. Inky, deep purple, violets, blackberry and thyme. Ripe but holds onto a certain freshness. Get some.

The 23 hectares of Domaine Philippe Tessier were established in 1961 by Roger Tessier, and have been farmed by his son Phillippe under his eponymous label since 1981. Philippe is one of the most respected producers in this part of the Loire and has a long reputation for producing honest wines full of energy and life.

This is the edge of the wine growing area for the Loire Valley proper with a cool microclimate producing wines with tension and vibrancy. A combination of soil types that sit atop the limestone bedrock, ensure freshness and minerality is present in all the region’s wines.