Hauts Baigneux

History of domaine des Hauts Baigneux

The history of the Domaine des Hauts Baigneux begins in 2012, when Nicolas Grosbois and Philippe Mesnier discover the dormant potential of this clay-over-flint vineyard on the heights of Azay-le-Rideau. Nicolas, an established winemaker in Chinon where his family owns the Domaine Grosbois, immediately perceives the rare quality of this terroir, which had been forgotten for years. Philippe Mesnier, his long-standing friend and wine importer in Belgium, shares his vision and enthusiasm. Together, they purchase the domaine from the Deprez family, along with its abandoned vines and its winery in need of renovation, and embark on the adventure with a clear objective: to bring to the international stage a vineyard historically recognized locally but still too little known beyond its borders.

From their arrival, they undertook the organic conversion of the entire vineyard, in keeping with the philosophy of the Domaine Grosbois. In collaboration with the latter, they also practice biodynamic market gardening across both domaines, creating a virtuous circle between the animals, the plants and the preservation of the soils. Since 2012, the wines of Hauts Baigneux have progressively attracted the attention of enthusiasts, wine merchants and the international press, notably thanks to their flint-grown Chenin blancs from Saché and their Grolleau wines in a premium rosé version. The Guide Hachette des Vins cites the domaine among "the up-and-coming estates of the appellation", recognizing cuvées such as the Blanc Chenin and the Cabernet Franc.

Terroirs and Vines of domaine des Hauts Baigneux

The vineyard of Hauts Baigneux extends over 12 hectares, spread across two distinct terroir sectors. The first 9 hectares are located on the lieu-dit Hauts Baigneux itself, in the communes of Cheillé and Vallères, on a soil of clay and limestone with a more pronounced presence of flint in the southern part of the lieu-dit. These plots encompass several sub-sections: La Surprise, Les Pentes and the Clos de la Cour, planted with Chenin blanc (the majority), Sauvignon blanc, Gamay, Grolleau, Cabernet franc and Côt, on vines of around 25 years. The remaining 2 hectares are located in Saché, beneath the former workshop of Alexander Calder, on a clay terroir with a high flint content, planted entirely with Chenin blanc on old vines of 60 years. These two plots in Saché, Les Mézardière and the Clos des Brancs, produce the domaine's two flagship cuvées.

Grolleau, a red grape variety native to Azay-le-Rideau, is crafted here in a haute couture version, far removed from anonymous industrial rosés: it expresses itself with spiced notes of red fruits of great elegance. Chenin blanc, grown on the heavy flint soils of Saché, achieves remarkable concentration and tension thanks to the age of the vines and naturally very limited yields. The entire vineyard is farmed under certified organic agriculture, with manual harvesting.

Vinifications of domaine des Hauts Baigneux

Nicolas Grosbois and Philippe Mesnier vinify with the minimum possible interventions, using indigenous natural yeasts, without chaptalization. For the whites, pressing is done directly in whole clusters, followed by static settling. The base cuvées are aged in stainless steel tanks on fine lees for several months. For the top cuvées from Saché, notably the Clos des Brancs, aging is done partially in wood (foudres or barrels) for 12 months, lending the wine greater concentration and complexity. For the Rosé de Silex, one year of aging in foudres gives it a gastronomic dimension rare for a rosé. For the natural sparkling wines, the wines are bottled before the end of fermentation, without any addition, to capture the natural bubble.

For the reds, winemaking is light and precise: partial or total destemming depending on the cuvée, short to moderate macerations, aging in tanks for the easy-drinking cuvées and longer aging in wood for the single-vineyard cuvées such as Sanguine. The constant philosophy is to preserve the fruit, freshness and minerality inherent to the clay-over-flint soils of Azay-le-Rideau, without ever weighing the wines down through excessive extraction.

The cuvées of domaine des Hauts Baigneux

Touraine-Azay-le-Rideau Blanc Chenin (Saché): The domaine's flagship white cuvée, made from Chenin blanc planted on the heavy flint soils of Saché, beneath the former workshop of Alexander Calder, old vines of 60 years. Manual harvesting, direct pressing, aging on lees in tanks. Toasted and smoky nose on a backdrop of well-ripened yellow fruits. Full and fruity palate, complex citrus aromas, remarkable salty finish, a reflection of the distinguished character of Chenin on flint. Fine digestive bubble for the natural sparkling version. A benchmark Chenin blanc for the appellation, awarded by the Guide Hachette des Vins.

Touraine-Azay-le-Rideau Blanc Le Clos des Brancs: Prestige cuvée from the other plot in Saché, the Clos des Brancs, in old-vine Chenin blanc of 60 years on flint. Aged 12 months in wood. The very beautiful natural concentration in the berries, due to the age of the vines and the great ripeness at harvest, allows for a light extraction seeking fine and excellent tannins. Golden color, complex nose of yellow fruits, toasted notes and white flowers, full and concentrated palate, long and mineral finish. A wine for aging, to be served at table over 6 to 7 years. The domaine's most ambitious and most sought-after cuvée.

Touraine-Azay-le-Rideau Blanc Les Chênes: Entry-level white cuvée from the clay-over-flint plots of the lieu-dit Hauts Baigneux in Chenin blanc. Vinified in stainless steel tanks, aged on lees. In the purest expression of the Loire style: fresh, generous and aromatic. Nose of white-fleshed fruits, flowers and citrus, a lively and enjoyable palate in all its simplicity. The domaine's everyday white wine for drinking within the year.

Touraine-Azay-le-Rideau Blanc Sauvignon: Cuvée from Sauvignon blanc on the sandy and clayey soils of the lieu-dit Hauts Baigneux. Notes of rose and redcurrant characteristic of the grape variety, dense and tangy flesh, alert and dynamic profile. A Sauvignon particularly well-suited to the table, with fish dishes, seafood, or goat's cheeses from the Val de Loire.

Touraine-Azay-le-Rideau Rosé La Surprise: The domaine's iconic rosé cuvée, made from a blend of Grolleau and Gamay on clay-over-flint soils. A joyfully spiced and lively rosé, with notes of expressive red fruits. Light and fresh palate, easy and digestible. The domaine's thirst-quenching rosé cuvée for immediate pleasure, to be shared on any occasion.

Touraine-Azay-le-Rideau Rosé de Silex: A confidential cuvée of gastronomic rosé, made from Grolleau aged for one year in foudres. Pale pink color, spiced nose with notes of red fruits expressing themselves with finesse, a gastronomic rosé palate, fuller and more concentrated than the Surprise. Philippe Mesnier and Nicolas Grosbois created this cuvée to demonstrate that the terroir of Azay-le-Rideau is perfect for complex rosés capable of benefiting from aging. A table rosé of remarkable class and originality, produced in very small quantities.

Touraine Rouge Les Pentes: Red blend cuvée made from the three classic Loire grape varieties: Cabernet franc (structure), Gamay (fruitiness) and Grolleau (energy and freshness), on the clay-over-flint soils of Hauts Baigneux. Deep ruby color, spiced nose of red fruit aromas and mango. Fresh palate balancing freshness and a finely spiced personality. A light and fruity red wine with surprising freshness and drinkability, in the most authentic Loire style.

Touraine Rouge Grolleau: Red cuvée made from pure Grolleau, a grape variety historically used for rosé but crafted here as a dry red wine by the two winemakers. Light color, aromas of raspberry and minerality, lively and fresh palate with beautiful energy. Hauts Baigneux makes a convincing demonstration here that Grolleau deserves its place as a red just as much as a rosé.

Touraine Rouge Sanguine (Cabernet Franc): Red cuvée made from pure Cabernet franc, sourced from the lower part of the slope of the lieu-dit Hauts Baigneux, on soils with a high flint content. A nod to Nicolas Grosbois's history in Chinon. Harvested at full ripeness, aged in oak barrels for 12 months. The primary character of Cabernet franc bursts forth immediately, endowed with a flesh of beautiful brilliance, without artifice, for lovers of Loire firmness. Deep cherry color, nose of small black fruits and ripe pepper, fresh and structured palate, spiced and mineral finish.

Pétillant Naturel Blanc (Touraine): Natural sparkling white wine made from Chenin blanc, bottled before the end of fermentation. Fine bubbles carrying fruity and mineral aromatics, a balanced palate supported by lovely freshness. The salty finish and complex citrus aromas on the nose reflect the distinguished character of the Chenin from Azay-le-Rideau. A natural sparkling wine of great finesse, far removed from industrial bubbles.

Pétillant Naturel Rosé (Touraine): Natural sparkling rosé made from Grolleau and Gamay, bottled before the end of fermentation. Light and festive bubbles, nose of small red fruits and spices, fresh and thirst-quenching palate, slightly mineral finish. The ideal companion for summer aperitifs and meals on the terrace.