Clos de Mez Gamay
Clos de Mez “La Dot” 2010
Fleurie AOC, Beaujolais
4 Generations of Zighera women shaped what Clos de Mez is today. Marie-Elodie Zighera-Confuron founded Clos de Mez (Mez being her nickname) by amalgamating the 3 family parcels in both Fleurie and Morgan under one domaine. She is carrying on the family tradition with her modern winemaking teachings and traditional practices, both in the vineyard and in the winery. Through her experiences in Beaujolais and Cote de Rhone wineries, she discovered that Gamay could be made in the same manner as Pinot Noir from Beaune but with ambient yeasts and minimal intervention.
Clos de Mez makes 3 wines, yes three, each unique.
* Morgon "Chateau Gaillard" (a queen of a wine that will blow your socks off and could age for decades 30 years)
* La Dot is a complex princess that has so many layers which also cellar worthy
* Mademoiselle M is the duchess which is a light and fruity Beaujolais meant to be enjoyed young for it’s fresh and fruity style.
The La Dot parcel was part of Marie-Elodie Zighera’s grandmother’s dowry, hence the name to pay homage to her “Mamie.” The 50 year old vines are located in southern Fleurie close to the border of Morgon. Grown in sandy pink granite, gnarled old goblet pruned vines produce very low yields. Hand picked, whole clusters undergo cool fermentation for a short period prior to half being matured in barrels for 9 months. After blending the barrel and vat wines, the wine is further aged for another 12 months. Once bottled the wine is further aged in bottle for an additional year before release.
Pour into the glass pale ruby color with a purple rim.
Swirl and medium+ intensity aromas of strawberry, cranberry, cherry, raspberry, violet & earth jump out of the glass.
Sip and the vibrant acidity and the smooth, soft tannins carries the flavors of wild berries (strawberry, cherry, raspberry), violet, forest floor, black truffles, leather, kirsch, bubblegum lead into a long finish on cinnamon spice.
It’s youthful and lively yet it has elegance and beauty. It’s finesse in a glass.
Serve it lightly chilled with salmon rillette, Brie & saucisson, seared tuna or a roast chicken and bacon frisée salad with pomegranate seeds.
