Val du Loir

Producer profiles - Jasnières and Coteaux du Loir

Jean-Marc Rimbault (1870)

Jean-Marc Rimbault

The stout looking Jean-Marc Rimbault looks every bit the French provincial farmer. In his late forties and full of jokes, he runs this wine and cereal growing domaine created by his great-grandfather. The current incumbent has been making wine here since 1980 and succeeds his grandfather and father who joined their own fathers in 1920 and 1936, respectively.

Wine Overview :
He works 7.5 hectares of vines in total, split between Marçon (where there are 28 different parcels) and Jasnières. Here, he has five different parcels split between Clos des Molières, Sous-le-Bois and Les Bonatière, although he only chooses to make a single expression of the appellation. In addition to the two hectares of Pineau d’Aunis planted by his great-grandfather in 1911 and 1916, he has a little Gamay, Côt and Cabernet Franc which are sold off en vrac. His Chenin was planted by his father in the 1950s and 1960s.

He raises most of his wine in fibre glass, although there is a separate cave where some chestnut barrels, used for the vinification of Pineau d’Aunis, lie. He is the third generation to use them.

The Wines :
Rimbault is a very likeable character and he makes sound, if somewhat rustic wines. He has a good trade with private clients who turn up with their cubitainers. 

2007 Jasnières
Pale appearance. Light and closed on both nose and palate. Clean but neutral and not particularly inspiring. It might evolve with time. (12/08)

2007 Coteaux du Loir Blanc ‘Les Sablons’
As the name might suggest, this is from vines on sand and clay up on the plateau directly behind the cellar. Pale with green hints. More open and obvious, but with slightly more flattering (8g/l) residual sugar. It is drinking well now and should age further, but not particularly distinguished. (12/08)

2007 Coteaux du Loir Blanc ‘Les Pérrés’
Grown on a silex rich site. Bright. Pale with green hints. Clean but muted nose. Needs time. The palate is more open and approachable. Taut and chalky, in a traditional style. Dry and stony, it needs time. (12/08)

2007 Coteaux du Loir Rouge
From old vine Pineau d’Aunis. Bright. Pale youthful red/pink. Very pure Pineau d’Aunis on the nose, but the palate is a bit dry and lacking flesh. It retains some firm, gravelly tannins and fresh acidity. Drinking now and could age a couple of years. (12/08)

Jean-Marc Rimbault
Domaine de la Touche
Rue de Cézin
La Touce
Marçon
T: + 33 2 43 44 14 82
T: + 33 2 43 44 55 25
F: + 33 2 43 44 90 26
Jean-marcrimbault@wanadoo.fr

Back to top