Rouge d'Ixem 2022

Xavier Martin was born in Angers on December 7, 1978. In 2010, he settled in Saint-Aubin-de-Luigné, where he renovated a 16th-century wine cellar into a bioclimatic home. On one of its walls, an inscription caught his eye: "VERITATIS FABRICATOR". It was an obvious choice. A few years later, this name would become that of his estate. But before that, Xavier honed his skills alongside some of the great names of Anjou Noir: Juchepie, Terre de l’Élu, Les Vignes de Babass, Mosse, Belargus... From Saint-Aubin-de-Luigné to Rochefort-sur-Loire, passing through Saint-Lambert-du-Lattay, he explored every corner of the Layon. Pruning, trellising, bud thinning, harvesting, winemaking—he mastered every detail of the craft. In 2019, he took the leap and founded his own estate: Veritatis Fabricator, meaning "Creator of Truth"—a nod to the famous saying In vino veritas. But what is truth? For Xavier, it lies in a respectful approach to both vineyard and wine: no additives, indigenous yeasts, no chemicals. His Chenin and Cabernet Franc reveal their purity, shaped by the challenges of the climate. Today, the Veritatis Fabricator winery is based at Château de la Genaiserie in Saint-Aubin-de-Luigné. The Chenin, harvested at peak maturity, is gently pressed to avoid vegetal notes. The Cabernet Franc undergoes a short maceration before being pressed with the same care. The juices then begin fermentation in tanks or barrels, guided by the natural yeasts present on the grapes. Here, nothing is artificial. No sulfites, no filtration. The wines are simply racked to clarify them before bottling, with no additives. Each bottle is sealed with a high-quality natural cork and finished with wax to limit air exchange and ensure optimal aging.