Bois Brinçon Castle - The Willows of Montbenault 2020
Nestled in the heart of Anjou, Château de Bois Brinçon boasts a centuries-old history (founded in 1219) and a plot-by-plot approach that highlights the diversity of the Loire's soils. The house philosophy: manual harvests, controlled yields and measured aging to express the integrity of the Chenin and the signature of the terroirs.
Les Saules de Montbenault is a 0.80 ha micro-plot located in Faye-d'Anjou, planted with Chenin on rhyolites – rocks of volcanic origin that are extremely rare in Anjou. Density of 5,000 vines/ha, yield of approximately 20 hl/ha, hand-picked in sorting of non-botrytized golden grapes: everything contributes to a pure, saline and energetic expression of the place. Slow pressing (8 to 10 hours) of whole bunches for a clean and precise juice. Fermentation in 400 L barrels, followed by aging on lees in the same barrel, to bring volume without masking the chalky structure and volcanic tension. Bottled with measured sulfur to preserve the brightness of the fruit.
On tasting, you have a wine with a pale, brilliant color. Straight and bright nose: citrus (lemon, grapefruit), pear, white flowers, flint/chalky hints that are the hallmark of Montbenault. Chiseled and saline palate, carried by a fine acidity; the heart of the fruit remains pure, the finish is long, tracing, with a return of zesty citrus and wet stone. A Chenin from the interior altitude: verticality, energy, precision. Ideal with oysters and shellfish, seared scallops, white fish (salt-crusted sea bass, pearly cod), creamed poultry, vegetable cuisine (asparagus, fennel, preserved lemon). Serve rather chilled and let the wine open up in the glass.
Grape variety: 100% Chenin Blanc.
