DOMAINE TERRE DE L'ÉLU
Loire / ANJOU
Terre de l'Elu is a 22-hectare vineyard in the village of Saint-Aubin de Luigne, with plots ranging from Chaume (known for its sweet Chenin Blanc) to Chaudefons-sur-Layon. In addition to the traditional Chenin Blanc, red varieties are also grown in this warmer, drier part of Anjou on black slate soil. The estate was established by two brothers in the 1950s and sold to Thomas and Charlotte Carsin in 2008. Thomas, an agricultural engineer, is trained in both viticulture and oenology and has experience working organically and biodynamically.
At Terre de l'Elu, he follows these principles by using native cover crops, tilling the soil, and avoiding synthetic products. These efforts have helped revive the soil and preserve old vines on the property. The vineyards are planted with equal proportions of Chenin Blanc and Cabernet franc, as well as smaller amounts of Gamay, Grolleau Noir & Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pineau d'Aunis. All harvesting is done by hand and the grapes are brought to the cellar for pressing and fermentation using natural yeasts. The wines are aged in tanks, barrels, or amphorae and sulfur usage is kept to a minimum.
In 2018, the estate withdrew from the AOP of Anjou due to issues with the appellation and its bureaucracy and is now labeled as Vin de France. The new name, Terre de l'Elu (Formerly Clos de l’Elu), reflects this change.
Owner
Region
Terroirs
Farming
Harvest
Size
Grapes Grown
Website
Vineland Rep.
Charlotte and Thomas Carsin
Loire - Anjou
Anjou noir, Saint Aubin de Luigné
Organic
Manual
20 hectares
Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Grolleau, Pineau d'Aunis
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TERRE DE L'ÉLU "ROC'H AVEL"
Appellation: Vin de France
Grape Variety: Chenin, Sauvignon blanc, Grolleau gris
Soil type: Sandstone schist, quartz, square stone
Age of the vines: 35 to 70 years
Yield: 25 hl / ha
Winemaking: Manually harvested in 20kg bins. Direct, whole buch pressing. Natural fermentation (indigenous yeast) in vats. Aged for 10 to 12 months on fine lies in vats.
Notes: An exciting bouquet of liqourice and fennel to begin, leading to ripe pear and fresh almonds. A saline freshness and aniseed flavour on the palate. Full-bodied, yet at the same time tender and elegant.
90
2016
RVF
90
2019
WA
TERRE DE L'ÉLU "BASTINGAGE"
Appellation: Vin de France
Grape Variety: Chenin Blanc
Soil type: Shale sandstone, brittle shale, quartz
Age of the vines: 20 to 40 years
Yield: 30 hl / ha
Winemaking: Manual harvest in 20 kg bins with draconian sorting in the vineyard, and multiple passes if necessary. Direct and slow pressing of freshly harvested grapes, with selection of juices.
Natural and slow fermentation (native yeast). Ageing in barrels for one year on lees then assembly in vats for a further aging of 2 to 4 months. Malolactic fermentation is complete.
Notes: A deep and complex nose reveals buttery aromas. The attack - full and plump - is followed by a very beautiful minerality typical of shale soils. Some nice citrus notes reminiscent of candied lemons. A gastronomic wine that calls for a special dish.
92
2016
VM
93
2019
WA
TERRE DE L'ÉLU "DÉSIRADE"
Appellation: Vin de France
Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Soil type: Sandstone schist
Age of the vines: 45 years
Yield: 20 hl / ha
Alcohol: 13,5% vol
Winemaking: Manually harvested in 20kg bins. Direct, whole bunch pressing. Natural fermentation (indiginous yeast) in 500L barrels. Aged on fine lies (no stirring) in oak barrels (new) for 12 months then in stainless steel for 12 more months.
Notes: A deep nose, lightly oxydative with spicy notes (ginger, nutmeg) and candied oranges. A rich and powerful attack on the palate with a long finish.
90
2016
RVF
90
2016
RVF
TERRE DE L'ÉLU "LE BAISER D’ALEXANDRIE"
Appellation: Vin de Pays
Grape Variety: Grolleau Gris
Soil type: Grey schiste, quartz & square stone
Age of the vines: 50 years
Yield: 15 hl / ha
Winemaking: Manually harvested in 20kg bins. Whole bunch maceration in terracotta amphorae for 9 months before pressing and bottling with no filtration.
Notes: The bouquet evokes mediterranean perfumes: spices, citrus (orange). A powerful and balanced wine. Some tannins present, though not overbearing, roundness without the weight. Let yourself be surprised!
91
2015
RVF
TERRE DE L'ÉLU "EPATHA"
Appellation: Vin de France
Grape Variety: Chenin Blanc
Soil type: Sandy shale
Age of the vines: 80 years
Yield: 15 hl / ha
Winemaking: Manually harvested in 20kg bins. Slow pressing and fermentation in 10hl sandstone amphorae (natural yeast). Matured for 12 months, in 140l clay jars amphorae. Malolactic fermentation is complete.
Notes: A crystal wine of great aromatic purity. A subtle nose revealing fresh aromas and anise notes. The attack is silky, enveloping and stretches to iodine notes. A chenin with almost a tannic structure, elegant and unusual, a great wine with food.
93
2018
VM
95
2018
WA
TERRE DE L'ÉLU COTEAUX DU LAYON 1ER CRU CHAUME (Sweet)
Appellation: Coteaux du Layon 1er Cru
Grape Variety: Chenin Blanc
Soil type: Shale sandstone, spilite & phthanites
Age of the vines: 10 to 15 years
Yield: 15 hl / ha
Winemaking: Highly selective and manual harvesting 3 or 4 passes on average) in 20 kg bins. Natural fermentation (natural yeast). Matured for 12 months in vats.
Notes: This is made from carefully hand-harvested young Chenin vines that are perfect for developing botrytis. The grapes are fermented with indigenous yeast in oak barrels and the wine is aged for a year in a vat before being bottled. Charlotte recommends sipping it by a bonfire with a plate of fruit jellies and two rocking chairs. The wine shows an intense nose which opens with exotic notes ( pineapple). With such a smooth texture, the wine has an excellent balance between richness and acidity.
91
2015
RVF
TERRE DE L'ÉLU "MAUPITI"
Appellation: Vin de France
Grape Variety: 50% Cabernet franc, 35% Gamay, 15% Grolleau
Soil type: Schist and quartz
Age of the vines: 20 to 45 years
Yield: 30 hl / ha
Winemaking: Manually harvested in 20kg bins. Whole bunch infusion. Natural fermentation in vats, aged for 10 to 12 months in wood conical vats (40hl).
Notes: Gamay grown in the Loire Valley is lively and vibrant, but not shallow. It often has a lively, tangy flavor, but when done well, it can make for a delightful evening, even if you may not feel quite as celebratory the next morning. Thomas adds a blend of Cabernet franc and Grolleau to his Gamay to create Maupiti which makes it seductive and enjoyable.It boasts a subtle and luxurious bouquet, with a veritable explosion of red fruit flavors on the palate. It has light, spicy notes and is delicate and supple on the tongue. A truly enjoyable wine."
92
2018
DECANTER
90
2019
WA
TERRE DE L'ÉLU "L'AIGLERIE"
Appellation: Vin de France
Grape Variety: Cabernet Franc
Soil type: Quartz, sandstone schists
Age of the vines: 40 years
Yield: 30 hl / ha
Winemaking: Manuel harvest in 20 kg bins with strict grape selection in the vineyard. Maceration-infusion in whole bunches for 4 to 5 weeks. Natural fermentation using native yeasts. The free run juice and pressed wine are blended together and then aged for 30 months in old barrels without racking to soften the wine. No filtration.
Notes: An initial minty nose, followed by red fruits aromas along with fresh herbs and scents of camphor. The smooth, velvety texture softens the fine tannins. A long finish.
91
2018
VM
93
2016
WA
TERRE DE L'ÉLU "ESPÉRANCE"
Appellation: Vin de France
Grape Variety: Pineau d’Aunis
Soil type: Sandstone and pudding stone clay schist
Age of the vines: 50 to 70 years
Yield: 30 hl / ha
Winemaking: Manually harvested in 20kg bins. Natural fermentation (natural yeast) in vats. Whole bunch maceration over 15 days. 12 months aging half in barrels (600L), half in Amphora. No filtration.
Notes: Pineau d'Aunis is a really cool grape that's native to Loire. Similar to Grolleau - it can be a little wild, so you gotta keep an eye on it. But when it's done right, it makes a wine that's unlike anything else - it's got sweet-tart cherries, a little cracked pepper, and a punch of acidity. It's a wine with lots of character and depth."Purple and light color, floral and peppery aromas (Sichuan pepper). A bold attack of spice evolves into floral notes. A delicate and persistent mouth. A remarkable wine full of finesse and elegance..
93
2018
WA
92
2018
RVF
TERRE DE L'ÉLU "MAGELLAN"
Appellation: Vin de France
Grape Variety: Cabernet Franc
Soil type: Shale sandstone
Age of the vines: 80 years
Yield: 15 hl / ha
Alcohol: 13,5% vol
Winemaking: Manual grape harvesting in 20kg bins. Grapes destemmed but not crushed, and directly placed in maceration amphorae. 5 weeks maceration with light cap-punching or pigeages. Pressing and maturing in old oak barrels over 20 months. No filtration.
Notes: Magellan is a great example of how the terroirs of Anjou can make some seriously good Cabernet franc. They use 80-year-old vines grown on chert-flecked shale and sandstone soil to make a wine that's deep and refined. They ferment it with whole berries and native yeasts in amphorae, then age it in oak barrels for 20 months before bottling. It's a really special wine.
Elegant and deep nose with liquorice notes. Then spices take over, the palate delights with firm yet silky tannins. A wine that takes you out to sea !
92
2017
RVF
92
2013
VM
