Dom. de Pallus 'Messanges' Chinon Rosé

The Wine

Pale pink in color, the nose is all zesty citrus and under-ripe red berries. The palate is lean and clean, with the same zip and lemon-lime notes abundant on the nose. There’s a lingering white spice (cardamom? coriander?) expression on the finish, and wet stone minerality lingers long after the fruit. Refreshing, reviving, and a ridiculous value to boot. Drink on its own, or enjoy it with fresh summer salads, seafood, and oysters.

The Story

Winemaker Bertrand Sourdais hails from the sleepy Loire Valley appellation of Chinon, but he made his mark in Spain’s Ribera del Duero, where he earned a reputation for crafting profound wines from the ancient vines at Dominio de Atauta. Sourdais displays a combination of skill and instinct in the cellar—coupled with his deep understanding of vineyard practices and commitment to biodynamic farming, he is a rare tour de force in the wine world today. Sourdais returned to his family’s estate in 2003, shifting Pallus’ direction to biodynamics and slow winemaking. Today, he makes several cuvées of Cabernet Franc for Pallus, but only in the best vintages, and in tiny quantities.