CLOS du TUE-BOEUF La Gravotte

"La Gravotte" from Clos du Tue-Boeuf is a captivating natural red wine that epitomizes the artistry and heritage of Thierry Puzelat and his family at their historic estate in Les Montils, within the Cheverny appellation of France’s Loire Valley. Crafted predominantly from Pinot Noir—sometimes with a touch of Gamay depending on the vintage—this wine hails from a 1.2-hectare parcel of 35- to 40-year-old vines rooted in clay-and-silex soils over Blois chalk. Hand-harvested at peak ripeness, the grapes undergo semi-carbonic maceration for around 10 days, fermenting spontaneously with native yeasts in wooden vats or stainless steel, followed by aging in old 400-liter demi-muids or barrels for 8 to 12 months. Bottled unfined, unfiltered, and typically with no added sulfur (or a minimal 30 mg/L in some years), it pours a translucent ruby with a nose of expressive red fruits—raspberry, cherry, and wild strawberry—woven with subtle spice and a flinty minerality. On the palate, it’s fresh, fruit-forward, and elegantly structured, with soft tannins, bright acidity, and a long, thirst-quenching finish. A standout in the Puzelat lineup alongside siblings "Rouillon" and "Caillères," "La Gravotte" pairs beautifully with grilled vegetables or rabbit in mustard sauce, reflecting the estate’s biodynamic ethos and centuries-old legacy of pure, vibrant winemaking.