Though she’s not from a winemaking family and doesn’t own any vineyards, Marie’s father was a well-connected publisher and early proponent of natural wine, so she grew up in the scene. Following her high school graduation, she worked a harvest with Marcel Lapierre that left a lasting impression and led her to eventually launch her own winery. Working with some of the best organic and biodynamic growers near her home by a bend in the Loire between Tours and Angers, she crafts compelling, yet approachable and very well-balanced wines. La Tendresse is a medium-bodied blend of 70% Côt (aka Malbec) and 30% Pineau d’Aunis. The grapes are macerated and vinified separately with Côt spending 6 months in barrel and Pineau d’Aunis in fiberglass tank before blending and bottling with no fining or filtration. It exhibits fresh dark berry and cassis flavors, good minerality, subtle herbal notes, and balanced acidity with dry, moderate tannins on the finish. Pairs perfectly with cherry-glazed duck breast or a cheese and charcuterie board with rillettes, pates, goat cheese, dried fruit and nuts.