Pinot Noir 'En Coteaux' by Jeff Carrel 2021

We've been fans of the wines from Jeff Carrel since the 1990s. Born in Paris, he trained as a chemist, then fell in love with winemaking. His home turf and deep love is southern France, just outside Carcassonne in fact. There vines grow at a reasonably high altitude, in a cooler climate to obtain just the ripeness Jeff is after. He is renowned for being something of an eccentric, "effervescent and highly energetic, the bounciest winemaker we've ever met" said a South African mate! He channels this energy into making great wines, as you'll taste here. Pinot Noir from slopes up to 254 metres altitude, on ideal soils, the wine has a lovely ripeness and good kick of freshness. An appealing glass solo; great too with chicken or vegetarian pilaf.