Clos de l'Ecotard - Les Pentes 2022
In Courchamps, south of Saumur, Michel and Thibaud Chevré create artisan Chenin with the precision of the Loire Valley. Clos de l'Ecotard is organically farmed with measured ploughing, hand-picked grapes, and low-intervention vinification to allow the clay-limestone and tuffeau soils to speak for themselves.
Les Pentes 2022 comes from a steep limestone hillside that concentrates maturity and freshness. A controlled solar vintage. Slow pressing of whole bunches, gravity settling, indigenous fermentations per plot. Aged on fine lees in vats and barrels of several wines for 10 to 12 months, sparing stirring to gain body without losing energy. Bottled the following spring. Dry wine, limited production.
The nose opens with ripe lemon, fresh pear and white peach, enhanced by hawthorn blossoms, a touch of light honey and a chalky structure. The palate is slender and silky, with a lively attack followed by a sapid heart of zesty citrus, crisp apple and fresh almond. The salinity stretches the structure and reinforces the clarity. The finish is long and straight, slightly smoky, with a noble bark bitterness that is characteristic of tuffeau.
At the table, serve Les Pentes 2022 with oysters, sea bass ceviche, sushi, pikeperch with beurre blanc, roasted poultry with lemon, or Loire goat cheese. Ideal temperature 10 to 12°C in a tulip glass. Open twenty minutes before serving. A quick decanting may be considered for a very young bottle. Recommended tasting window from now to seven or eight years, depending on the winery.
Grape variety: 100% Chenin
