Domaine de la Taille aux Loups - Jacky Blot

History of Domaine de la Taille aux Loups

The history of Domaine de la Taille aux Loups begins in 1988, when a Bordeaux native, M. Prud'homme, took on a 7-hectare vine lease belonging to André Chapeau and Clément Germain. The beginnings were modest and marked by an inconclusive first vintage. Two years later, wine broker Jacky Blot took charge of the estate's vinification. He quickly fell under the spell of the terroirs of Montlouis-sur-Loire and decided to devote all his talent and energy to this project.

In 1992, Jacky Blot officially became the owner of the estate. A visionary and passionate man, he set out to produce wines of exceptional purity and quality, highlighting the potential of the calcareous terroirs of the Loire. The beginnings were not without difficulty: the costly farming methods and Jacky's innovative choices struggled to win over the market, and his cuvées were sold at prices well above the local average. However, he persisted and succeeded in building a loyal clientele through remarkable wines, vinified with rare precision and elegance.

Over the years, Jacky Blot expanded the estate, acquiring prime terroirs in Montlouis and Vouvray. He introduced avant-garde practices, such as extended barrel aging, and created iconic cuvées that revolutionised the perception of Montlouis wines. In 2023, after a life dedicated to the vine, Jacky Blot passed away suddenly, leaving behind an exceptional legacy that his son Jean-Philippe carries on with brilliance.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine de la Taille aux Loups

Domaine de la Taille aux Loups now extends over 25 hectares, planted primarily with chenin blanc. The estate's terroirs, located in Montlouis-sur-Loire and Vouvray, are characterised by calcareous and clay-limestone soils that lend the wines their freshness, minerality and finesse.

Facing full south, the parcels benefit from optimal sunshine, ideal for the slow and complete ripening of chenin blanc. The vines, cultivated according to the principles of organic farming, are tended with extreme care to respect the balance of the soils and encourage the expression of the terroir. Jacky Blot has also adopted mass selections, favouring genetic diversity and the resilience of the vines.

The estate deliberately limits yields to around 35 hectolitres per hectare, ensuring optimal concentration and quality of the grapes. The practice of meticulous sorting at the end of the row allows only perfectly healthy and ripe fruit to be vinified, an essential condition for producing wines of exception.

Vinifications at Domaine de la Taille aux Loups

The estate's vinification philosophy is built on absolute respect for the grape and a pursuit of precision. Every step, from hand-harvesting to fermentation, is designed to reveal the purity and complexity of chenin blanc.

The grapes are gently pressed to preserve the finesse of the aromas, and the musts are fermented with indigenous yeasts, encouraging a natural expression of the terroirs. Jacky Blot, and now his son Jean-Philippe, have chosen to vinify in wood, using Burgundian barrels of different sizes and origins. Aging on lees, with regular batonnage, brings volume and texture to the wines while preserving their freshness and tension.

The estate favours the use of old barrels to avoid an overly marked wood imprint. The wines ferment slowly, sometimes over several months, at controlled temperatures, ensuring aromatic complexity and great precision. For the sparkling cuvées, such as the celebrated Triple Zéro, the method is natural, without chaptalization or the addition of liqueur, highlighting the fruit and purity of the chenin blanc.

The cuvées of Domaine de la Taille aux Loups

Triple Zéro

A true icon, this sparkling cuvée is distinguished by its natural vinification method: zero chaptalization, zero dosage liqueur, zero expedition liqueur. The result: a brut sparkling wine of remarkable elegance and energy, ideal for accompanying seafood or celebratory moments.

Remus

A dry white wine from calcareous terroirs, offering a fine tension and aromatic richness. Its notes of white fruits, citrus and white flowers seduce from the very first sip.

Les Hauts de Husseau

This cuvée reflects the mineral expression of the Montlouis soils. With its aromas of almond, honey and ripe fruits, this dry white wine presents a structure and complexity that rival the great Burgundian crus.

Clos Michet

A dry white wine from a walled parcel, the Clos Michet offers notes of yellow fruits, hazelnut and flint. Its silky texture and persistence make it a wine of gastronomy par excellence.

Clos de Mosny

Another emblematic parcel, the Clos de Mosny gives rise to a wine of great finesse, with aromas of peach, quince and dried flowers. Its ample and generous palate is supported by a beautiful acidic backbone.

Romulus and Romulus Plus

These sweet cuvées, produced only in the greatest vintages, are a tribute to the richness and longevity of chenin blanc. With their aromas of candied fruits, apricot and honey, these wines beautifully complement desserts and blue-veined cheeses.

If Domaine de la Taille aux Loups has captivated you, we invite you to explore other talented winemakers from Montlouis and Vouvray, who bring the terroirs of Touraine to life through their unique creations. Discover the exceptional wines of François Chidaine, Foreau - Clos Naudin, Huet, Le Rocher des Violettes, Vincent Carême, and La Grange Tiphaine, as well as those of Lise & Bertrand Jousset. Each estate brings its own vision and showcases chenin blanc in a unique way, offering a diversity of styles and emotions absolutely worth discovering.

The Domaine de la Taille aux Loups is a must for any lover of great Loire wines. Through the commitment and innovation of Jacky Blot, this estate has elevated chenin blanc to an unparalleled level, offering wines that combine freshness, tension and depth. Today, under the direction of Jean-Philippe Blot, the domaine continues to write its history with cuvées of impeccable quality, capable of seducing the most discerning palates.