Domaine National de Chambord : Romorantin 2023

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for the 2023 Romorantin from Domaine National de Chambord

Tasting

Nose

The nose unfolds with finesse, revealing notes of citrus, particularly lemon, along with quince and floral touches of linden blossom, all underscored by a delicate woody nuance.

Palate

On the palate, the wine is lively and elegant, driven by a pronounced minerality that reflects the sandy-clay nature of the Ormetrou terroir. The pure, precise texture hints at a light touch of oak ageing, without ever masking the freshness of the fruit.

A white wine from Domaine National de Chambord, faithful to the rarity of the Romorantin grape

The estate

The Domaine National de Chambord is a national public body of an industrial and commercial nature, created in 2005 and owned by the French State. Located in the Sologne, in the Loir-et-Cher department, it combines the management of the Renaissance château, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a vineyard re-established in 2015 around the Romorantin grape, introduced by François I. Now led by Pierre Dubreuil, Managing Director, and chaired by Philippe Donnet, the estate showcases this rare grape variety through an approach rooted in organic farming and ecological excellence.

The vineyard

The vineyard from which this wine originates lies in the site known as l'Ormetrou, around one kilometre from the château, on a predominantly sandy terroir mixed with clay in the subsoil, with rows oriented north-south. Four hectares are planted with Romorantin, propagated from cuttings of a pre-phylloxera vine preserved by winegrower Henry Marionnet. The vineyard is managed according to eco-certified organic farming, with the harvest carried out by hand. This wine is marketed under the Vin de France designation.

Winemaking and ageing

The 2023 Romorantin is made from hand-harvested grapes, then vinified without added sulfites or artificial yeasts, in keeping with the natural wine philosophy championed by the estate. The winemaking reveals a subtle woody touch, suggesting partial oak ageing, carried out with restraint to preserve the purity of the fruit. The wine is then bottled directly at the estate.

Grape variety

This wine is made from 100% Romorantin, planted across the four hectares of the Clos de l'Ormetrou, sourced from pre-phylloxera vines.