Domaine Pithon-Paillé - La Fresnaye 2011

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

With its pure fruit and slender palate, this wine is a real conversation starter.

About the domain :

Created in 2008 by Isabelle and Jo Pithon, associated with Joseph and Wendy Paillé (who have since left for Roussillon, but have been replaced by Jules and Tania - are you following?), this young domaine is making a stunning entry among the Loire's leading addresses. The 13-hectare vineyard (including 11 hectares of chenin), grown organically and vinified by Jo Pithon himself, is backed up by an attractive trading structure, set up with partner winegrowers who work mainly organically. Jo Pithon has established itself as one of the great names in white Anjou.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

 From the warm gravel and pebble soils in the village of Saint-Aubin de Luigné, La Fresnaye 2011 unveils an inky color and reveals a noble, intense, delicate bouquet of spicy fruit, earthy nuances, gamey accents, coffee and graphite. Aged in barrels for two years, this is a fresh, pure, powerful red, firmly structured yet silky, elegant and dynamic, with a great intensity of ripe black fruit closely linked to tobacco scents. La Fresnaye is an excellent, elegant wine with excellent ageing potential.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

The 2011 reds are very successful. La Fresnaye has more depth and density.

About the domain :

Following the sale of their vineyard to Philippe Fournier (at Domaine FL), Jo and Isabelle Pithon set up this negoce in 2008 with Isabelle's son Joseph Paillé and his wife Wendy, a South African sommelier. They have 7 hectares of their own organic vineyards, and vinify and mature Chenin and Cabernet Franc grapes from different Loire terroirs. In this successful Loire marriage of the fine spirit of vins de soif and some great cuvées de terroir, the whites are rising to prominence, in particular the exceptional Coteaux des Treilles.