# Clos du Tue-Boeuf Romorantin Frileuse (2024)

- **Producer:** Le Clos du Tue-Boeuf
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Romorantin
- **Region:** Loire, France
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 12.0%
- **Average price:** €28
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** peach, pear, lemon, herbaceous, smoke

## About this wine

Le Clos du Tue-Boeuf is a historic estate situated in the Loire Valley, with records dating back to the 15th century when its wines were enjoyed by French royalty. The domaine is led by natural wine pioneer Thierry Puzelat alongside his daughters Louise and Zoé. Operating from the lieu-dit Frileuse near Les Montils, the family specializes in low-intervention wines crafted from indigenous grape varieties grown on clay, flint, and limestone soils.

## Interesting facts

- Frileuse translates to 'the little cold one', named because this hilltop vineyard parcel is exceptionally prone to spring frost.
- Romorantin is one of France's rarest grape varieties, with under 90 hectares cultivated globally.
- The parcel includes rare 115-year-old vines and ungrafted franc de pied vines planted in deep clay and flint soil.

## Food pairing

The high acidity and mineral drive of Romorantin cut cleanly through rich goat cheese and creamy butter sauces, while highlighting the natural ocean salinity of fresh oysters and shellfish.

## Wine making process

Organically farmed and harvested by hand, the Romorantin grapes undergo direct pressing with a brief skin contact period. Fermentation occurs spontaneously using indigenous yeasts without added additives. The wine matures for 8 to 9 months on fine lees in a combination of old Burgundian barrels, neutral demi-muids, large foudres, and terracotta amphorae. It is bottled unfined and unfiltered with minimal sulfur added.