2013 Salon des Vins de Loire: Jean Teissèdre, Domaine des Bérioles, Saint-Pourçain

Jean Teissèdre, Domaine des Bérioles, Saint-Pourçain

While tasting some attractive 2012 wines from the Côte Roannaise with Carine and Stéphane Sérol (Domaine Robert Sérol), they urged me to taste the wines of Jean Teissèdre, who was sharing the stand with them. As I invariably do as I'm told, I went and tasted Jean's wines and am I glad that I did for this was a welcome new discovery.

Jean Teissèdre took over the running of the eight hectare Domaine des Bérioles in 2011. Prior to this he had gained experience in Pouilly-Fuissé as well as Mâcon plus a time in 2010 with the excellent François Crochet in Sancerre. The eight hectares are two thirds white and one third red. The whites are Chardonnay and Tressalier, which is Saint-Pourcain's local special grape, while Gamay and Pinot Noir make up the reds. Most of the vines are on clay and limestone, while the Pinot Noir is on granite. 

Of the five wines I tasted I particularly liked the 2012 Trésaille, which 90% Trésailler and 10% Chardonnay. It would be good to taste this once it is in bottle. I also enjoyed the 2011 L'intrepide made from 100% Pinot Noir and aged in barrique. This had sweet ripe fruit, nice concentration, some spice. It needs more time in bottle but there is certainly potential there and worked better than the 2011 Auvernat, which is a blend of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Gamay – easy drinking but a bit cloying. 2012 Les Grands Brières was the other red I tried. This soft, fruity red is 90% Gamay and 10% Pinot Noir with a touch of spice in the finish.  

I look forward to tasting Jean's wines again in the future. 

2012 Trésaille, Saint-Pourçain, Domaine des Berioles

Good modern but classic label

Jean Teissèdre, Domaine des Bérioles