Domaine de la Motte 2008 Tasting Notes
Coteaux du Layon Rochefort 2007
Anjou blanc Clos des Belles-Mères 2007
Anjou-Villages rouge 2006
Gilles’ domaine is based in the tiny village of Rochefort, one of just seven villages allowed to attach its name to the prestigious appellation of Coteaux du Layon. The soils at the top of the slopes here are schistous; everywhere you look, you can see huge pieces of slate on the surface of the soil. It is the unique marriage of this slate, thin topsoil and of course the small but significant River Layon, which makes this ideal sweet wine country. Undoubtedly, the flagship wine of Gilles’ domaine is his Coteaux du Layon Rochefort. However, his red wines are some of the best in the region and his Anjou-Villages rouge from the 2006 vintage will surprise and delight with its dense colour and concentration. Gilles is delighted that this wine has been selected to represent the appellation of Anjou at the Maison du Vin in Angers throughout 2008.
This year Gilles is very contented with his Coteaux du Layon 2007. After a very warm spring, the summer months brought very changeable weather. However, autumn was cool and dry and created ideal conditions for the magical botrytis. The wine has fresh acidity (Gilles compares it to the 2002 vintage) and lots of fruit, balancing nicely the complex, honeyed sweetness of the pourriture noble. It will be delightful to drink now, but can be cellared for 30 years or more.
The Anjou blanc Clos des Belles-Mères (mother-in-laws’ wine) is also from the 2007 vintage. This vintage favoured white wines – producing good acidity, fruit and balance. This is a blend of 15% Chardonnay and 85% Chenin Blanc and is fresh with a steely minerality and good weight of apple and melon fruit. It can be enjoyed on its own or as an aperitif, and yet is full-bodied enough to match white meat and poultry dishes. Gilles recommends freshwater fish or a plate of moules. Although drinking well now, it will also keep well.
His superb red Anjou-Villages is from the unsettled 2006 vintage, which managed to come good at the back end of the season. This deep, almost impenetrable black wine is a blend of 30% Cabernet Franc and 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and is concentrated and quite powerful with noticeable, but ripe, supple tannins. Drink over the next 5 to 7 years with fuller-flavoured dishes, Sunday lunch or a simple Tuesday night pasta dish!