Domaine Tessier 'Point du Jour' Cheverny 2023

Cheverny is a tiny appellation often overlooked. It sits in the shadow of Loire Valley heavyweights like Château de Chambord, that massive crown jewel that everyone's seen photos of. It only became an official AOC in 1993, so it's young by French wine standards. 

This is Tessier's 'Point du Jour,' a blend of 20% Gamay and 80% Pinot Noir from the estate's oldest vines, planted on clay and sand and sandy clay over limestone. Hand-harvested, 70% whole cluster, macerated for about two weeks. Aged in a mix of barrels, demi-muids, and foudres. Short ageing, blended in January, bottled a couple of weeks later unfiltered with minimal sulphur.

Cherry pie filling. The dust from a cinnamon stick. A little almond paste sneaking in. The palate is all fresh red and black fruits with tannins that feel like very fine silk. A wine that will get better over the next few years, if you have the patience. I don't, but you might.

Serve it cool. Drink it with roast chicken, or mushroom pasta. It is truly an excellent summer red.