2022 Batardière Amor Fati Grolleau
WINEMAKER: Marie-Lise & Thomas Batardière
REGION: Loire Valley, FR
VARIETY: Grolleau
VITICULTURE: Certified Biodynamic
Grapes come from a tiny plot that Marie-Lise and Thomas planted next to their house, and this is only the second time that they have been able to use the grapes. Certified biodynamic. Half of the grapes were macerated for 5 days, the other half were direct pressed. Spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Half raised in tank and half in used barrels. Barrel racked to tank after 11 months and allowed to settle for two months. Unfined, unfiltered. Amor Fati roughly translates to love your fate, or love your destiny. "Normally Grolleau is made in a glou glou style - not here - this is an expertly crafted expression that exudes elegance. Perfumed scents of small red fruits, wild flowers and rose stems. The palate is linear and crunchy, with a mix of blueberry, boysenberry and watermelon rind. A refined expression of Grolleau, pretty and graceful. Light and bright in the mouth, with good tension and super fine tannins that stretch over the back palate, lingering for some time. Lacy and delicate, yet finely structured. Delish!" - Ryan Larkin, importer
Thomas discovered his passion for natural wines while working with a caviste in Amboise. He went onto earn a sommelier degree, which included partaking in an internship at Château Yvonne in Saumur. It was here that he learnt about biodynamic farming, and ended up working for them full time, while also obtaining his viticulture degree in parallel.
In 2011 he sourced 1.5ha of Chenin in Rablay-sur-Layon. He immediately took about converting the vineyards to biodynamics, and finally obtained certification from Demeter in 2015. He has since obtained a small plot of Cabernet Franc and Grolleau in Rablay, as well as a tiny plot of Chenin in Faye d’Anjou. More recently he also planted a tiny parcel of Grolleau right next to his house. The total surface area is only 4ha, enough for the couple to manage by themselves, thoroughly and consciously. For the most part, the vineyards are sandy and stony, with clay over schist. The Montbenault parcel (0.25ha) is also very heavy in volcanic rock.