Domaine de Belliviere Coteaux du Loir Hommage a Louis Derre 2022 750ml

100% Pineau d'Aunis. The Nicolas family bottles a Pineau d'Aunis called "Rouge Gorge" annually; in some vintages, they single out the very oldest vines, which total 0.9 hectare and clock in at over 100 years old at this point, for their "L'Hommage à Louis Derré" bottling. Needless to say, the yields are miniscule. The farming is certified-biodynamic and all work is by hand, including harvest. The bunches are destemmed and the must fermented in used 500-liter barrels with native yeasts and minimal sulfur; the wine is aged in these barrels as well for about a year. It is named in honor of the Nicolases' local champion, Louis Derré, who helped them find their footing and some vines of their own when they first showed up the insular Jasnières region a few decades ago. Notably, the vines in this special wine are the sources for all massale cutttings for replacing spent Pineau d'Aunis plants around the Bellivière estate.