Michel Redde & Fils : Barre à Mine 2023

Characteristics and tasting advice for Barre à Mine 2023 by Michel Redde & Fils

Tasting

Appearance

The wine reveals a pale gold color, subtly highlighted with green reflections, testifying to its beautiful purity.

Nose

The aromatic bouquet is complex and layered. It opens with notes of ripe citrus such as grapefruit and lime, accompanied by white fruits like peach and green apple. A pronounced minerality marked by flint and crushed stone intertwines with delicate floral hints of acacia and honeysuckle, along with subtle herbal nuances.

Palate

Structured and precise, the palate offers fine tension thanks to vibrant acidity perfectly balanced by the fruit. Flavors of lemon cream, grapefruit, and pear unfold elegantly. The mid-palate reveals saline and smoky notes, leading to a persistent, mineral, and citrus-driven finish.

Food and wine pairings

This white wine pairs wonderfully with seafood, particularly fresh oysters, scallops, or crab. It also enhances white fish, spiced roasted lobster, as well as poultry dishes accompanied by citrus or fresh herb sauces.

Serving and cellaring

To fully enjoy Barre à Mine 2023, it is recommended to serve it between 50 and 54°F (10–12°C). Decanting is strongly advised to allow it to open up. This wine has remarkable aging potential and can evolve in the cellar until around 2040.

The distinctive minerality of a Pouilly-Fumé wine by Michel Redde & Fils

The estate

Although the family's winemaking history dates back to 1630, the Michel Redde & Fils estate was truly established in the early 1950s by Michel Redde. Located in Saint-Andelain in France, in the heart of the Loire Valley, the estate now covers around forty hectares. Currently managed by Sébastien and Romain Redde, the estate stands out for its meticulous parcel-based approach and its commitment to producing authentic wines that reflect the diversity of the terroirs with minimal intervention in the cellar.

The vineyard

From the Pouilly-Fumé appellation, the 4.5-hectare plot that gives rise to this cuvée is located in the commune of Tracy-sur-Loire. This unique terroir is a former red flint quarry from the Albian period. Planted in 2009 using a crowbar due to the extreme hardness of the rocky soil, the vines benefit from a southwest exposure on a steep slope. The planting density is particularly high, reaching 10,000 vines per hectare on soils composed of flint and kaolinite clay.

The vintage

The year 2023 was marked by a summer season characterized by high temperatures. Nevertheless, the overall growing cycle proved cooler than in previous vintages, allowing the berries to retain excellent freshness and reach optimal balance at harvest.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for Barre à Mine 2023 are harvested by hand in small wooden crates. Alcoholic fermentation takes place at controlled temperatures between 64 and 68°F (18–20°C). Aging then continues for 14 to 16 months in oak foudres and 500-liter demi-muids, on fine lees, thus bringing complexity and richness to the wine’s structure.

Grape variety

100% sauvignon blanc