When I come back in my memory at Valley d’Aosta, I remember only a sunny days, even if there were not only those . But it’s how our memory works, sometimes keeps the selected impressions only.
In any case , during my visits at Maison Anselmet, and consequently, La Plantze , the days were hot and sunny. And I remember a very pleasant walking between the meadows and vineyards, while admiring the surrounding mountains.It seems that I could even now sense the aroma of flowers and enjoy the beauty of water stream nearby Maison.
Every visit I have tasted wines from Giorgio Anselmet and later from Henri Anselmet.
Entering at the hall of degustation I have discovered the exposition of the old instruments of wine producers used at past. There is also some piece of pavement which I stepped on with caution , even slightly afraid: It’s a piece of glass pavement through which one can admire the wine cellar situated beneath . Beautiful.
This time I have met the youngest winemaker, the fourth generation, a little son of Henri.
Renato Anselmet , Giorgio Anselmet and Henri Anselmet. Each of them had a different life story.
Renato Anselmet, a grandfather of Henri was the one of producers who use to cultivate autochthonous vines from the Valley.
In my opinion, both of them, I mean Giorgio, the son of Renato, and also Henri produce wines quite different from others valley’s producers . Tasting them you understand that some of wines are inspirated by burgundy style. Barrique is used quiete often, some international vines , famous in France , are cultivated here as well , as Viogner, Sauvignon Blanc,Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay.
The range of products of Maison Anselmet is much more wider , but it’s nothing surprising, as he produce wines for quite a long time.
“I am the one who doe’s a wine …“
In this wide range of wines, most of them are created ( I always prefer to say “created” because to make a wine is an art ) from autochthonous vines, but not only, for example there are three different interpretations of Chardonnay, from the basic wine, ageing in stainless steel only, up to more elaborated versions.
10 hectares of vineyards situated to Adret, it means on the left orografic side of the valley, in local dialect patois. But in reality it means 64 parcels between the cities Avise and Chambabve.
Giorgio Anselmet said: “Exist the right wood for every wine”, tonneaux and Burgundy barrique, pièce.
Instead Henri Anselmet used probably more modern style , working with the amfora , prolonged maceration, some of wines are inspirated by wines from Loire, as, for example, excellent wine Ferox, Sauvignon Blanc 100 %, which I like so much.
Or blend of Viogner with Sauvignon, Al Mister. Maceration on skins during 30 days, vinification and ageing in amfora 9 months. From the first sniff you could smell the prolonged maceration. Aroma of dried apricot, ripe peach.
“I make wine to get to know myself “ thought of Henri Anselmet.
La Plantze means in patoise dialect terracing, and actually, vineyards in Valley d’Aosta are formed from terrace with incredible pendency. There are 6 hectares, plots are located between cities Saint Pierre and Nus, aprox 30 km distant.I can’t ever imagine his standard working day. One hour here, the other over here, after go ahead with car to the next place.
Here you are some selections of tasted wines.
El Teemp. Merlot 50%, Syrah 50%. Smell is full of fruits, blueberries, strawberries, ribes, blackberry and violet.The other wine in French style.
Nagòt, Petit Rouge 50%, Fumin 25%, Cornalin 10%, Mayolet 10%.
Just from the first sniff I percepted Fumin, later appeared Cornalin and finally, arrived some recognition of Mayolet. Its delicated touch is present despite the minor percentage.
The ruby-red colour with the garnet highlights. The wine’s nose is pleasant and intense with scents of blackcurrant, blueberries, strawberries, white pepper, at finish a light touch of cedar.
In the mouth, the wine is very balanced, dry, warm,and soft, with a delicate tannic sensation, fruity.
Torrette Superieur AOC , 2018, La Plantze di Henri Anselmet.
Petit Rouge 70%, Cornalin 20%, Fumin 10%. Vineyard situated at 700-750 above sea level.
Ageing in a barrique for the second passage during 12 months. The colour brilliant ruby-red .Bouquet is splendid, red fruits, after scents of tobacco, spices. Mouthfeel is warm, bold, velvety tannins.
But let’s turn to the wide range of wines of Giorgio Anselmet.
Fabulous wine Broblan,Il Semel Pater, Il Prisonier, the wine of Maison Anselmet which probably I like much more, and Balôs.
Il Semel Pater, one Pinot Noir par excellence.
Il Prisonier, blend of vine grapes Petit Rouge 40%, Cornalin 35%, Fumin 20%, Mayolet 5%. I feel probably the same love as for Nagòt. The blend of those autochthonous grapes is always very interesting. Mayolet gives, as usually, very fruity range of aroma . The small red fruits, some mountains herbs.
Every time, tasting Broblan I was really impressed. Broblan ( Broblanc, which does mean in patoise dialect the white stalk) is rare bio type of Cornalin.
Maison Anselmet was, at least according to Ian D’Agata , the first one producer who put in the commerce the wine created from autochthonous variety Cornalin in purity, but even more, from the rare bio type of Cornalin Broblan.
Broblan, Maison Anselmet, 2018. This wine was created from different bio types of Cornalin. The parcel Rogliat in city Saint-Pier is coltivated by some massal selection of three bio types, Corniola 5%, Cornalin 45%, Broblan 50%. A brief maceration, after long fermentation lin a temperature controlled steel tank. Ruby-red colour. It’s nose is appealing , with classic well defined sour cherry and red fruits notes , background of delicate scents of mountain herbs.
Balôs. Grapes are dried on rush mats till the end of January, after that are vinificated. Its bouquet displays tones of candied fruits , as well as hints of balsamic, cardamom-like tones.
Very nice wine, to try absolutely. But it is produced only in some special occasions.
To visit and taste wines of both producers is always a pleasant experience, which confirm that any wine producer is created his wines following his visions and his style of interpretation terroir and local varieties.
