Jean-Pierre Robinot – Inspiring wines

Jean-Pierre Robinot – Introduction

Jean-Pierre Robinot is a legend! His wines are served in the best wine bars in Paris, Copenhagen and New York. When we dropped into the famous l’Entree des Artistes in Paris and ask for the most interesting wine in their cellar, it is a Robinot that is reverentially brought to the table.

He’s in his early 70s with the energy and enthusiasm of a teenager. He had one of the first natural wine bars in Paris, called l’Ange Vin, and, while living in Paris also was one of the founders of Rouge et Blanc, still one of France’s most influential wine magazines. But he eventually sold the bar and in 2000 bought a vineyard, just out of the village of Chahaignes, where he now lives. It’s also where he grew up.

This is almost midway between Tours and Le Mans in the Loire Valley, although more specifically in the Loir Valley (the Loir is a tributary of the Sarthe River which eventually flows into the Loire River. He has about 10 hectares, split across several locations. Some of the vineyards would be classified as Jasnières if he worked within the appellation rules.

He and his wife Noella began by buying small plots of old vines and also planting new patches of Chenin Blanc and Pinot d’Aunis (an exciting local variety of red grape). Chenin Blanc is widely grown but Pineau d’Aunis is rarer and generally only grown in parts of the Loire Valley.  Pineau d’Aunis makes wines with the same weight as Pinot Noir – so relatively lightly-coloured, but it is much more spicy and herbal. We generally find that people who like the slightly bitter herbals flavours of amaro and campari like wines made from this grape variety.

All his wines are fermented naturally (often very slowly over more than a year) and his still wines in old barrels in humid cellars cut directly into the hills many years ago, some so old that it’s hard to believe that they stay together. He is patient, holding wines in barrel until he believes they are ready, which can sometimes be more than 5 years.

Jean-Pierre has two domaines that he releases his wines under. The first in Les Vignes de l’Ange Vin where the wines are made from plots of vines that he owns and manages organically and biodynamically. His other wines are released under the L’Opera des Vins label. Here he buys the grapes from friends who also manage their vineyards in the same way as Jean-Pierre. In both cases, the approach to the winemaking is the same.

He has always had the patience to wait until the wine is ready to release rather than rushing it to the market. And the results show the wisdom of that approach.

Jean-Pierre Robinot (l’Opera des Vins) Opéra Rouge 2021

The Robinot family is broadening their reach and have sourced some excellent grapes from the Anjou region (below the city of Angers) which is not too far from where they live. The red grapes are Cabernet Franc that have grown on sixty year old vines.

One of the advantages of Cabernet Franc is that it ripens faster than Cabernet Sauvignon and therefore doesn’t exhibit those green pepper flavours that are so common in Cabernet Sauvignon grown in cold climates – and the Loire can be very cold in winter and even spring.

Like most of the Robinot wines the juice was transferred to fibreglass following natural fermentation to mature and was then bottled. It’s quite a shock to see such dark, juicy, peppery red wine coming from a Robinot bottle having been drinking their Pineau d’Aunis red wines for so long! However, the result is a delicious red wine that displays all the character of Cabernet Franc with that special touch that only the Robinot family can provide.

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Jean-Pierre Robinot (l’Opera des Vins) Opéra Blanc 2021

The Robinot family is broadening their reach and have sourced some excellent grapes from the Anjou region (below the city of Angers) which is not too far from where they live. The white grapes are Chenin Blanc that have grown on old vines.

Opéra Blanc is Chenin Blanc from 30 year old vines on complex terroir of clay, silex and limestone in Anjou.

It was directly pressed, aged in large fibreglass tanks and bottled early in July 2022. By being directly pressed it doesn’t have any of the tannins and other polyphenols that can be incorporated from the skin of the grapes, instead, this wine relies entirely on the juice from the grapes.

It’s recognisably a Robinot white wine, with its typical energy, but with a little more freshness and less oxidative characteristics. We find this wine to be quite compelling and an excellent example of a Loire white made from Chenin.

Jean-Pierre Robinot (l’Opera des Vins) Fetembulles Pet’Nat 2021

This is a fine example of the wine genre known as Petillant Naturels – wines that are fermented once in the bottle and then sometimes disgorged to release the dead yeast and sometimes not, depending on the winemaker. Jean-Pierre nearly always disgorges his pet nats.

This wine has been disgorged after being aged for 12 months in the bottle and topped up with the same wine.

It is made from 100% Chenin Blanc that has had no dosage (added sugar), therefore is quite dry.

The 2021 version of this wine is incredibly delicious with fine bubbles and a superb, lingering finish, reflecting the careful aging that the wine has undergone. Clear and bright in the glass, this pet nat is a treat for anyone who appreciates this genre of wine.

RRP: $62 (SOLD OUT)

Jean-Pierre Robinot (l’Opera des Vins) L’As les Années Folles Pet’Nat 2020

This lovely Petillant Naturel wine is made from Chenin Blanc (60%) and Pineau d’Aunis (40%). The grapes are sourced from vineyards in the Jasnieres appellation but they do not seek endorsement from the appellation committee, preferring to label the wine as Vin de France.

We have just received this wine and it is tasting fantastic!

RRP: $62 (SOLD OUT)

Jean-Pierre Robinot (l’Opera des Vins) Les Années Folles Pet’Nat 2021

This lovely Petillant Naturel wine is usually made from two of the favourite grape varieties of the central Loire region around the city of Tours, namely Chenin Blanc (60%) and Pineau d’Aunis (40%). However, for this vintage (2021), there was not enough Chenin Blanc, so only Pineau d’Aunis was used.

This has added to the complexity of the wine (to our taste) as Pineau d’Aunis is an amazing grape variety

The grapes are sourced from vineyards in the Jasnieres appellation but they do not seek endorsement from the appellation committee, preferring to label the wine as Vin de France.

This wine is very delicious and has almost an onion skin colour from the Pineau d’Aunis grapes. The alcohol content is a very pleasant 11%.

However this doesn’t detract from the trademark complexity and depth of flavour of wines produced by Jean-Pierre. It has a fine bead and lasts for a long time on the back palate. A very complex pet nat!

RRP: $62 (SOLD OUT)

Jean-Pierre Robinot (Les Vignes de l’Ange Vin) Charme 2020

The Charme is a lovely Chenin Blanc that has been matured in old oak barrels.

Old oak is used by the vast majority of natural winemakers because the old barrels no longer impart that overpowering vanilla flavour to the wine. Instead, they allow a little oxygen to reach the wine ensuring that it will last longer in the bottle.

This wine is absolutely intriguing!

The Charme vineyard is over 40 years old and was bought by Jean-Pierre and Noella about ten years ago in the Jasnieres district. The soils are quite chalky and this is reflected in the wine.

The oxidative treatment of the wine by Jean-Pierre ensures that the wine will last for a very, very long time. Expect this one to last for fifty years or more!

The 2020 Charme has reflected the season and ranks at 12% alcohol, therefore is ideal as a wine to accompany foods.

RRP: $82 (SOLD OUT)

Jean-Pierre Robinot (Les Vignes de l’Ange Vin) Bistrologie 2020

The Bistrologie is a beautifully-crafted, classic expression of the Loire Valley’s favourite grape variety, namely Chenin Blanc.

The grapes are harvested from very healthy 40 year old vines that have benefitted from not having been sprayed with herbicides or pesticides that degrade the soil (which is red clay studded with limestone and flint rocks). The vineyards are also managed using biodynamic principles that ensure that the soil is healthy along with the creatures and fungi that thrive in these soils.

The grapes are hand harvested and then pressed and the juice put straight into old (sometimes very, very old) wooden barrels to ferment. The wine is kept on lees for at least one year, sometimes more. It has power and finesse simultaneously – something that is not easy for a winemaker to do.

The time it has spent in old wooden barrels has softened it and given it a pleasing roundness. The finish on this wine is incredibly long. The alcohol level for the 2020 is a pleasant 12.5%.

RRP: $74 (SOLD OUT)

Jean-Pierre Robinot (Les Vignes de l’Ange Vin) l’Iris 2019

It is not often that we are speechless, but after we opened this newly arrived Iris for a small group that is exactly what happened!

This wine is quite extraordinary. It is a pure expression of the power, elegance and depth that can be achieved from the Chenin Blanc grape variety.

Chenin Blanc is one of the best grapes available for producing long-lasting, age-worthy wines. The vines also react to the prevailing soil types, taking on the minerality of the soils quite strongly if they are not treated with sprays which destroy the microbes and funghi in the soil.

This Chenin Blanc benefits from the Cretaceous soils in the Loire Valley (note that there also is a Loir River that runs through this area which eventually reach the Loire River near Angers) which glint with red from the flint embedded within the underlying limestone.

The vines are now over 90 years old and the soil comprises clay made from decomposed red flint sitting over chalky limestone.

The result is a profound white wine that is already drinking beautifully, but will continue to improve for many years. At our first tasting of the 2020 vintage we were blown away by its purity and length. It is a very special wine!

There are no sulphites added to this wine at any stage.

RRP: $82 (SOLD OUT)

Jean-Pierre Robinot (Les Vignes de l’Ange Vin) Juliette Robinot 2015

This wine is one of the most stunning and complex of the Robinot range. Jean-Pierre wont release his wines until he thinks they are ready. This is a Chenin Blanc of stunning complexity and amazing minerality! It has 25 grams of residual sugar.

Chenin Blanc wines from the Loire are widely known for their longevity. This wine, in particular is capable of lasting a long time, however it is an intriguing wine to drink now.

When you drink this wine you can see how careful management of the vineyard leads to great quality fruit and this in turn helps to produce wine of amazing complexity.

We also have a small allocation of the “Super” Juliette made from vines that are over 100 years old! Robinot points out that this is a “vin d’une extrême finesse avec une grande énergie”.

(SOLD OUT)

Jean-Pierre Robinot (Les Vignes de l’Ange Vin) Lumière des Sens 2020

Pineau d’Aunis is a native grape of the area around the city of Tours in the Loire Valley. While it is little known outside this area, it is a grape variety that can be used to create exciting red wines of great complexity and interest.

This lovely Pineau d’Aunis comes from vines from the Rouillé vineyard that flourish in soils of red and yellow clay as well as calcareous silex in the Jasnieres appellation even though Robinot has not applied for appellation status.

We just love Pineau d’Aunis! It has spice notes (think white pepper, cloves, star anise) and some herbal characters at the end making quite a complex yet light and drinkable at the same time. It is rapidly becoming one of our favourite grapes especially when you find profound examples such as this.

There is no sulphur added at any time during the winemaking process and the vines are certified organic by Ecocert. It is not aged for as long as the Camille, so is perfect for immediate drinking. It is a light and joyful wine that still has structure and complexity from the purity of the fruit and the barrel ageing it receives.

RRP: (SOLD OUT)

Jean-Pierre Robinot (l’Opera des Vins) Lumière de Silex 2020

Lumière de Silex is a négoce wine (one made using purchased grapes) hence the different name (l’Opera des Vins). Wines made with their own grapes are labelled Les Vignes de l’Ange Vin by the Robinot family.

The signature time-lapsed photography on the label is as vibrant and energetic as the wine!

The Chenin Blanc grapes were purchased from organic grower Damien Bureau from the Anjou region where Chenin thrives in the shale soils.

We were fascinated when we first tried this wine because it still has all the characteristics of a Robinot wine. This is a wonderful example of Chenin Blanc that lasts for ages in the mouth and exhibits all the minerality and energy that we expect from a wine that has been made from grapes that have not been subjected to systemic sprays.

RRP: (SOLD OUT)

Jean-Pierre Robinot (Les Vignes de l’Ange Vin) Le Regard 2020

If you read the description of the Lumière des Sens above then you will know that we are very keen on wines made from the Pineau d’Aunis grape variety due to the finesse of the grape, the lovely tannins that give the wine structure and the slight herbal bitterness at the end of the palate that is characteristic of wines made from this grape variety.

The only difference between the Lumière des Sens and the Le Regard is that the Regard was matured in a fibreglass tank rather than wooden barrels. As with the Lumière des Sens there are no added sulphites in this wine which (as you can see from the label) has a balanced 13% alcohol.

Regard was fermented with whole bunches and then aged in fibreglass tanks for about nine months before being bottled and rested for some time before release.

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Jean-Pierre Robinot (Les Vignes de l’Ange Vin) Nocturne 2019

This wine is made from grapes picked from vines in the same vineyard as those that are used in the doubly expensive Camille wine.

This red wine is made from the lovely Pineau d’Aunis grape and the wine has been matured for at least 12 months before bottling!

As we have said above, Nocturne is the same vineyard as is used to make the Camille Robinot, but the Nocture is made using the ‘young’ vines which are only 80 years old. For the Camille he uses the 110 year old vines.

The Nocturne is aged for approximately 12 months on lees in old barrels. No filtering, no fining and no sulphites have been added at any time in the winemaking process. The level of alcohol is a balanced 14%.

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Jean-Pierre Robinot (Les Vignes de l’Ange Vin) Camille Robinot 2018

This wine is another beautiful example of the elegance of the Pineau d’Aunis grape. This is the sister wine to the Juliette Robinot.

It has spent a lot of time maturing in old oak barrels and the result is unbelievable! It is rich, complex, almost opulent, but is lively and expressive with taut energy showing in every sip!

The wine was bottled after spending over 2 years on lees and no filtering or fining was carried out.

The vines for this cuvee are 110 years old! The combination of the very old vines and the long barrel aging should see this no-sulphites wine last for ages.

It is a wine for contemplative drinking.

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Jean-Pierre Robinot (l’Opera des Vins) Concerto di Venezia 2020

This is a new cuvée for the Robinot family and it reflects the obsession that Jean-Pierre has long had with the lights and sights of the city of Venice. Much of the photography that graces his labels has been carried out in this wonderful city.

This wine adds to the stable of wines made from Pineau d’Aunis that are produced by the Robinot family.

The fact that the label sports l’Opera des Vins this means that the grapes have been purchased elsewhere. In this case the grapes were grown by well-known Loire organic and biodynamic producer Philippe Tessier in Cheverny.

The grapes underwent whole bunch fermentation and were then pressed and transferred to the famous Robinot aged barrels for around fifteen months.

There is a real spiciness on the nose that is typical of Pineau d’Aunis and there is the characteristic slight bitterness at the end which is so endearing. The tannins in this wine are restrained and there is a streak of acidity which will ensure that the wine will continue to provide pleasure for a number of years. The alcohol is a pleasant 12.5%.

This is an excellent addition to the Robinot stable of wines!

RRP: (SOLD OUT)

Jean-Pierre Robinot Prélude 2019

This is a new wine for the Robinot family and one with a difference. This year the Robinot family has decided to make a red wine from a grape other than Pineau d’Aunis. This one is made from Cabernet Franc using grapes they purchased from their friend Jean-François Chéné.

As you could also probably guess, this is no ordinary Cab Franc, but rather a silky gem that lingers on the palate for ages. It is light yet full of flavour, elegant yet robust.

It was matured in old barrels for two years prior to bottling.

RRP: (SOLD OUT)

You can read more about the Robinot wines on the site of our London friends at Tutto wines here.

You can find out which Robinot wines are available (a rare event) here and articles we have written about their wines in our newsletters here.