Statera 2024 Jérôme Bretaudeau | Loire

Jérôme Bretaudeau’s Statera is the wine estate’s premier red cuvée. Its name means “balance” in Latin and refers to a wine that is as surprising as it is captivating, born in the heart of Muscadet, where one would not expect to find Pinot Noir. Made from grapes grown biodynamically on a terroir of granite and quartz, this pure Pinot Noir benefits from a soil that lends it unexpected tension and depth under the skies of the Loire Valley. Domaine de Bellevue, led by Jérôme Bretaudeau—recognized as one of the most talented winemakers of his generation—practices hand harvest and spontaneous fermentation at low temperatures using indigenous yeasts. Aged for fourteen months in barrels, this wine cheerfully defies geographical boundaries and rivals the finest wines of the Côte de Nuits.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin: Jérôme Bretaudeau’s Statera is a Loire Valley Pinot Noir whose purity and elegance rival those of many renowned Burgundies. This is an extremely rare cuvée, produced where no one expected it, and one that has carved out a place for itself at the finest Michelin-starred restaurants.

The nose opens with a delicacy and aromatic nobility that immediately capture the attention, featuring intense notes of fresh morello cherry and wild raspberry, enhanced by hints of peony and violet. A hint of white pepper and subtle smoky nuances round out this highly poetic bouquet, evoking the Côte de Nuits more than the banks of the Loire.

On the palate, the attack is masterfully fluid, carried by an infused, airy texture of remarkable silkiness that coats the palate without ever weighing it down. The tannins, of exemplary finesse, support a savory and juicy depth leading to a long, briny, and floral finish, whose purity extends the tasting experience far beyond the fruit and invites you to let this wine continue to blossom for a few more years in the cellar.