La Tour Saint Martin

History of the La Tour Saint-Martin estate

The history of the La Tour Saint-Martin estate is above all the story of a family legacy passed down and amplified with passion. Bertrand Minchin's grandfather was already producing wine in Morogues before the Second World War, at this family property on the heights of Menetou-Salon. It was in 1988 that Bertrand took the reins and planted his first vines, before creating his cellar from 1994 onwards. Jovial and engaging, passionate about expressing the Loire terroirs, he quickly established his style: crystalline Sauvignon blancs, elegant and fruity Pinot noirs, all sourced from the Kimmeridgian terroirs of Morogues, the same ones that extend to Sancerre a few kilometres further east.

In 2004, Albane and Bertrand took a new step by acquiring Le Claux Delorme, a 15-hectare estate located in Selles-sur-Cher, in the Valençay appellation. They quickly established their style and standards there, rapidly placing Claux Delorme at the top of the hierarchy of this fast-rising appellation. The two properties are now grouped together under the Domaines Minchin banner. Certified Haute Valeur Environnementale for several years, the La Tour Saint-Martin estate obtained its Organic Agriculture certification in 2022, crowning years of progressive work towards a more environmentally respectful viticulture.

Terroirs and Vines of the La Tour Saint-Martin estate

The La Tour Saint-Martin vineyard is situated on the heights of Morogues, an emblematic commune of the Menetou-Salon appellation, in the Cher département. The soils are composed of Kimmeridgian marls — fossiliferous calcareous clays from the Upper Jurassic period, identical to those that bring fame to Chablis and Sancerre, located just a few kilometres to the east. These terroirs of oyster marls and hard limestone give the Sauvignon blanc a characteristic saline minerality and tension, as well as a recognised ageing potential. The Pinot noir, planted on plots between Bourges and Morogues, benefits from the same calcareous richness to express elegant fruitiness and remarkable aromatic finesse.

At Claux Delorme in Selles-sur-Cher, the 15 hectares of vines rest on sandy, clay, and siliceous soils typical of the Loir-et-Cher, conducive to a more direct and indulgent expression of the grape varieties: Sauvignon blanc and Chardonnay for the whites, Gamay, Côt (Malbec), Cabernet franc, and Pinot noir for the reds. The diverse encépagement of Claux Delorme allows for a broader range of wines, ranging from fresh and floral whites to immediately pleasurable and juicy reds. Harvesting is largely done by hand across both estates, with rigorous plot-by-plot selection.

Vinifications of the La Tour Saint-Martin estate

Bertrand Minchin's winemaking philosophy rests on a simple yet demanding conviction: purity above all. No aromatic yeasts, no interventionist techniques, very measured doses of sulphur, and a careful attentiveness to each vintage. For the Menetou-Salon Sauvignon blancs, vinification takes place after pneumatic pressing and static settling. The ageing of the entry-level cuvées (Morogues blanc, Pommerais rouge) is carried out on fine lees in stainless steel and wood tanks for approximately 10 months. For the prestige cuvées (Honorine in white, Célestin in red), ageing is longer, partially in oak barrels, with a selection of the finest plots and the finest barrels.

For the Claux Delorme cuvées in Valençay, vinification follows the same philosophy: fermentation in temperature-controlled tanks, ageing on fine lees, with a more direct and fruity style than the Menetou-Salon cuvées, in keeping with the sandy and clay-siliceous terroir of Selles-sur-Cher. The constant objective is to produce crystalline wines of indulgence and immediate pleasure, but endowed with sufficient structure and minerality to evolve for several years in the cellar.

The cuvées of the La Tour Saint-Martin estate

Menetou-Salon Blanc Morogues (La Tour Saint-Martin) : The estate's emblematic "flagship" cuvée, made from Sauvignon blanc on the Kimmeridgian marls of the heights of Morogues. Pale gold colour with green-gold glints, a complex nose of citrus (lemon, grapefruit), iodine notes, and exotic fruits. A generous and full-bodied palate with beautiful bitterness, a refreshing acidic character, and a long mineral and mouth-watering finish. Aged on fine lees for 10 months in stainless steel and wood tanks. A benchmark white Menetou-Salon, awarded 3 stars by the 1jour1vin guide, perfect with fish, oysters, or Crottin de Chavignol. Certified Organic since 2022.

Menetou-Salon Blanc Honorine (La Tour Saint-Martin) : The flagship white cuvée of La Tour Saint-Martin, sourced from a plot-by-plot selection of the finest Sauvignon blanc vines in Morogues, aged for longer in oak barrels. A wine of greater complexity and depth than the Morogues cuvée, with notes of well-mastered oak (coffee, golden tobacco, lime blossom), poached pear, honey, and flowers. A palate that is both full-bodied and energetic, with assertive minerality and a long finish. A wine for ageing, ideally to be opened after 3 to 5 years in the cellar. Regularly awarded by the Guide Hachette des Vins and the Gault et Millau.

Menetou-Salon Rouge Pommerais (La Tour Saint-Martin) : The estate's traditional red cuvée, made from pure Pinot noir on the calcareous marl plots between Bourges and Morogues. Cherry-red colour, an expressive and harmonious nose of red fruit aromas (cherry, raspberry), rosemary, and brown tobacco. A moreish and fresh palate, with notes of red fruits and spices, an elegant mineral backbone, fine tannins, and a fruity finish. A red wine of indulgence and elegance, typical of the Minchin style: crystalline and pure. One star in the Guide Hachette des Vins 2015.

Menetou-Salon Rouge Célestin (La Tour Saint-Martin) : The estate's flagship red cuvée, the pinnacle of the range in Pinot noir, sourced from a selection of the finest plots and aged in oak barrels. A magnificently balanced red wine promising beautiful evolution, complex and deep, with aromas of dark fruits, spices, undergrowth, and a very present calcareous minerality. A wine for ageing par excellence, to be enjoyed after 5 to 10 years in the cellar. 3 stars and a coup de coeur from the Guide Hachette des Vins 2011 for the 2008 vintage, a rare and remarkable distinction.

Valençay Blanc (Le Claux Delorme) : A white cuvée from Claux Delorme, made from Sauvignon blanc and Chardonnay on the sandy and clay-siliceous terroirs of Selles-sur-Cher. Aged 8 months on fine lees. A lively and round nose, with citrus, pear, apple, and white flower aromas. A dynamic and fleshy palate, balanced acidity, intense and indulgent freshness. An immediate, approachable, and sparkling wine, perfect as an aperitif or with fish dishes. One star in the Guide Hachette des Vins 2014. HVE certified.

Valençay Blanc Absolument Sauvignon (Le Claux Delorme) : A pure Sauvignon blanc cuvée from Claux Delorme, with a beautiful intensity of fruit and a very present freshness. A dry, clean, and expressive white wine, with aromas of citrus and white fruits, a straight and mouth-watering palate, and a fresh, lemony finish. A direct and pure expression of Sauvignon on the Valençay terroirs.

Valençay Rouge (Le Claux Delorme) : A red blend cuvée typical of the Valençay appellation, combining Gamay, Côt (Malbec), Cabernet franc, and Pinot noir. Deep purple colour, aromas of violet and red fruits, a lively and juicy palate, light tannins, and a fresh, indulgent finish. A wine for immediate pleasure, for friends and sharing, to be enjoyed under the pergola. Two stars in the Guide Hachette des Vins 2013 for the 2010 vintage.

Touraine Rouge Franc du Côt-Lié (Le Claux Delorme) : A red Touraine cuvée made primarily from Côt (Malbec) blended with other red grape varieties from the property. A fruity and spiced wine, with aromas of dark fruits and gentle spices, a fleshy and fruity palate with the typicity of Côt on Loire terroirs. 16/20 in the Gault et Millau for the 2009 vintage.

Valençay Blanc Hortense (Le Claux Delorme) : A white Sauvignon cuvée from the Claux Delorme vines, with a very expressive fruity and aromatic profile. Pale yellow colour, nose of citrus (lime, grapefruit) and exotic fruits (lychee). A lively palate, with present substance, ripe fruits, straightness, and well-integrated acidity, a mouth-watering finish with bitter notes of grapefruit and lemon zest. A wine of great indulgence and excellent value for money.