A bright, aromatic blend of Grolleau and Chenin Blanc with just a touch of Cabernet Franc in the mix. Coming from Mariette & Albéric’s modest 2.5 hectares of vines dotted around the villages of Rablay-sur-Layon, Beaulieu-sur-Layon and Faye D'Anjou. The vines here are aged up to 75 years old and are planted on varying mixes of clay, schist and gravelly soils on sites surrounding the nearby Layon river. The 2022 vintage of L’Abiizze sees the addition of Chenin Blanc in the blend, adding tension and energy to the wine. The vintage is a touch lighter than previous, with bright aromatic fruit, vivid acidity and a nice touch of roundness and spice from time in old barrel.
A red and white blend with 50% Grolleau, 40% Chenin Blanc, and 10% Cabernet Franc. The grapes are de-stemmed and macerated for 10 days in open-top, wooden fermenters. After pressing, the wine is transferred to old barrel for one year of quiet élevage. The couple handle all tasks in the vineyards and cellar themselves, everything is done by hand with no machinery and barely any electrics in their small cellar. The work is meticulous and gentle, the resulting wines are intricate, remarkable and full of character.