Grape Variety: Grolleau

Colour: Red

a.k.a.  Gros Lot. The name derives from the word for a raven (Grolle), no doubt a reference to the black skin of the grape. The variety is used principally for Rosé d’Anjou, but elsewhere it is virtually irrelevant in terms of making meaningful red wines. A fascinating exception to this rule is an old vines version from Olivier Cousin, one of the wild men of the Anjou appellation (and there are a fair few to choose from) who shows what can be achieved with low yields and biodynamic viticulture.Delicious chilled this combines flavours of violets and sweet red fruits with soft tannins and fresh acidity.The word funky was probably invented to describe this unmediated red which is unfiltered, unfined and has no sulphur added during the winemaking. Secondary aromatics of freshly turned earth, baked bread and smoked cherrywood add to the sensory adventure. This is one corbie that will definitely fly.