Bodet-Herold Rose Aerlinn Extra Brut 2023
Crémant de Loire

$29.99 on 6+ (code: 6saves2)
$31.99 US Low

My Tasting Note: A pale coppery pink hue, med+ mousse and medium bubbles persistence. The nose was med+ to pronounced with high toned notes of mixed fresh red berries and mandarin citrus, chalky minerality, fresh cut garden herbs, some wild florals - a very attractive nose with depth. While the palate was medium bodied, it was slightly fuller than the Physis, with med/med+ acidity, and med+ flavor intensity. The fruit, herbs and chalk cascade through the fresh, cleansing, med+ finish. Very charming indeed!

Grape: Grolleau
Dosage: 0g/L - Brute Nature
Terroir: From a single parcel located on a limestone hillock in Durtal in the northernmost part of Anjou, on Cretaceous yellow chalk. Southern exposure, resurfacing limestone, good drainage, impeccably farmed.
Viticulture: Organic grapes, yields do not exceed 45 hl/ha to ensure concentration and full maturity, picked at around 11% potential alcohol and low pH (3 to 3.1).
Vinification: Overnight maceration in the press, bottled near the end of the ambient yeast fermentation (ancestral method), no malo, aged for 6 months on lees in bottle, no dosage (Brut Nature).
Last year we took the Cremant wines Aerlinn rose and Physis Brut Nature for a spin and we were very impressed! A couple months ago The Wall Street Journal's Lettie Teague did the same and called the Physis her #1 affordable sparkling wine. (LINK)

Lettie Teague (WSJ): The terrifically energetic, lithe 2019 Bodet-Herold Physis Extra Brut Crémant de Loire ($38) was made from selected plots in Saumur, almost entirely from Chenin Blanc. The name Physis means “nature in harmonious order” according to winemaker Etienne Bodet, a Saumur native who has worked in both Burgundy and Champagne.

These Champagne method bubbles have a thick mousse on the pour with fine beaded bubble persistence.  The weight is medium bodied, not surprising given the zero dosage (brut nature). What I thought worked particularly well was the depth of aroma and flavor considering the finesse and elegance of these wines.  The aroma and flavor intensity were excellent, with a fresh and elegant finish.