Valmoissine Pinot Noir 2021 (Provence) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Pinot Noir produced by the famed Burgundian producer Maison Louis Latour. However, this red wine is not from Burgundy, but instead from the Var appellation in Provence and was featured on the cover of the most recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on March 18th.

Maison Louis Latour has a long history in wine that begins in 1731 when they acquired their first, and some of the top, vineyards in Burgundy. This wine, however, is from their Domaine in Provence called Domaine de Valmoissine and they have been cultivating Pinot Noir at this site since 1989.

The Valmoissine project was launched in the mid-1980s, not long after initial trials with Chardonnay in Ardèche were successful. As these trials were conducted in collaboration with a wine cooperative in Haut Var, Louis Latour soon began the search for their own land to establish their own estate and in 1990 they planted their first vines - 35 hectares in the village of Aups, in an area that had never been planted with vines. The domaine gets its name from the former collegiate church of Valmoissine which stood nearby from the year 900 up to the 15th century. Domaine de Valmoissine is situated in the heart of a region of rolling valleys, close to the Verdon Gorges, and on the site of the former monastery at 500 metres above sea level.

Today, Domaine to Valmoissine spans 100 hectares and the combination of clay and limestone soils with a fully south-facing aspect was important in the selection of this site where the conditions are similar to their terroir of choice - the Hill of Corton in Burgundy, the perfect terroir for the Burgundian grape variety of Pinot Noir. This area experiences a southern climate with hot, sunny days, and cool nights which allows the Pinot Noir grapes to brave the high temperatures of summer. The seasons are well defined in this area with hot summers and cold winters, while the southerly exposure and higher altitude limit the risk of spring frost.

The vineyard management and winemaking techniques used by Maison Latour in Var are identical to those used in Burgundy, with the objective of producing a refined and elegant wine of irreproachable quality. Yields are kept low to ensure good maturity and aromatic concentration of the grapes. The wines are crafted at the former Cave La Verdière, an old wine co-operative that was purchased by Maison Latour, and the vats were completely renewed in 1997 to provide the best possible conditions for the creation of an exceptional wine.

The grapes for this particular Pinot Noir were grown on the clay and limestone soils of the Verdon Hills in Provence, from vines averaging 15 years old. It was hand-picked and mechanically harvested, and completely de-stemmed upon arrival at the winery. It was fermented traditionally in open vats and followed by gentle pneumatic pressing. The free-run juice and the pressed wine were re-assembled and aged in stainless steel vats for 10 to 12 months. Cultivated in the contrasting climate of the Verdon Hills, the elegance of Pinot Noir is revealed in this wine by the application of the finest winemaking skills of Burgundy. Let's see how this 2021 Pinot Noir from Var in Provence is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

VALMOISSINE PINOT NOIR 2021 - IGP Var, Provence, France (#714451) (XD) - $25.95
This unoaked, 100% Pinot Noir has a medium-high intensity nose offering attractive aromas of sour dark red cherry, spice, dark currant, strawberry, forest floor, and earthy minerality, with hints of tea leaf and dried herbs emerging with time in the glass. On the medium+ bodied palate it delivers spiced dark berries, cherry, currant, and forest floor replays on the flavour profile. It has fresh, juicy acidity and light, slightly grippy and youthful tannins that offer a pleasing textural mouthfeel. Nicely balanced throughout with dark berry, sour cherry and forest floor notes lingering on the long, succulent finish. Quite impressive and a highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines by Louis Latour are available through the LCBO, and through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.