Domaine Benoit Lalanne - Les Noëls de Montbenault 2023
In the heart of Anjou Noir, Domaine Benoit Lalanne is emerging as one of the most promising names of the new generation of Loire Valley winemakers. The vineyard, of manageable size, is cultivated with exceptional care, where each plot is treated as a unique vintage. It is located next to Richard Leroy. Living soils, manual labor, deliberately controlled yields, and measured winemaking form the backbone of this young estate, already considered essential by lovers of great Loire Chenin Blanc. Here, Chenin Blanc is much more than a grape variety; it is an interpreter of the landscape, a revealer of the schist and quartz that shape the identity of the wines.
Les Noëls de Montbenault 2023 is the estate's flagship wine, embodying all of Benoit Lalanne's ambition and expertise. Grown on an exceptional south-facing slope, with soils of brown schist and outcropping volcanic rock, this Chenin Blanc is harvested at perfect ripeness, plot by plot. The luminous and balanced 2023 vintage allowed for a slow maturation, ensuring great aromatic depth without heaviness. The harvest is entirely manual, with meticulous sorting in the vineyard. The grapes are pressed slowly and gently, then the juice is left to ferment naturally using only indigenous yeasts. Aging then takes place in barrels and demi-muids that have held several wines, on fine lees, without excessive oak or superfluous intervention, in order to preserve the tension, verticality, and purity of the Montbenault terroir.
On the palate, the nose of Noëls de Montbenault 2023 is deep and vibrant. It opens with notes of ripe lemon, grapefruit, and blood orange zest, mingled with juicy pear, crisp yellow apple, and a hint of quince. In the background, floral nuances of hawthorn and chamomile emerge, followed by a more mineral and smoky character reminiscent of warm stone, slate, and volcanic rock. A few hints of pale honey, fresh almond, and beeswax complete the bouquet with aeration, heralding a Chenin Blanc of great stature.
On the palate, the attack is direct and taut, immediately propelled by a fine acidity that structures the wine without ever making it harsh. The mid-palate is ample and textured, with a dense yet perfectly balanced body. Flavors of zesty citrus, ripe white fruits, and stone fruits mingle with a discreet, almost peppery, spicy undertone and a salinity that lengthens the wine. The minerality of the schist and volcanic rocks is evident in both flavor and texture, with an almost chalky tactile sensation that adds depth. The finish is very long and precise, marked by elegant bitterness of lemon peel, pink grapefruit, and wet stone, leaving an impression of great purity and depth on the palate, worthy of the finest Chenin Blancs for aging.
At the table, this wine behaves like a great gastronomic white. It admirably complements fine fish cooked to perfection, such as pike-perch with beurre blanc sauce, roasted sea bass, grilled turbot, or roasted monkfish with citrus. Its tension and natural salinity make it an ideal partner for shellfish and crustaceans, from delicate oysters to seared scallops, as well as for briny seafood dishes. On land, it elevates roasted free-range poultry with lemon and thyme, asparagus or morel risotto, and gourmet-inspired vegetarian cuisine centered on roasted spring or autumn vegetables. With cheeses, it pairs perfectly with Loire Valley goat cheeses, a young Comté, or an aged Cantal, where its energy balances the richness of the milk. Thanks to its structure and mineral acidity, this 2023 vintage has great aging potential and will gain even more complexity over the years.
Grape variety: 100% Chenin Blanc
