Domaine de Veilloux, 2017 Update
Domaine de Veilloux is an unsung but nevertheless significant domaine in the Cheverny appellation. The proprietors, Michel Quenouix (pictured) and family, are descended from a line of vignerons who have been working the land since the time of the French Revolution, and perhaps for much longer than that. Throughout the 20th century they resisted the desire to branch out, into Cour-Cheverny, or into making other styles, sticking with a small range of white and red wines made solely under the Cheverny umbrella.
The specialty of the domaine is Menu Pineau, frequently a minor blending grape in the appellation, but at Domaine de Veilloux often a major part of the blend.
The Wines
This tasting began with a single wine from 2015, the note already published in my Loire 2015 report, thereafter it mostly featured 2014, clearly a quite successful vintage. In white, the 2014 Veilleurs, 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Menu Pineau, showed a lovely bitterness and vinous quality. The corresponding red 2014 Veilleurs, a blend of 65% Pinot Noir, 30% Gamay and 5% Côt, showed a similarly lively vivacity, while the 2014 Argilo, which showcases Pinot Noir to a greater degree, showed a rich depth of black cherry fruit and super charm.
