La Folle Berthe "Fontenelles" 2017 Chenin Blanc Saumur

750ml bottle

12.5% alc.

100% Chenin Blanc, from a plot located on the Jurassic fault line of Brossay. The vineyard is made up of clay, limestone and silex. Slow gentle press. Aged in old barrels for 24 months, then another 12 months in tank. 20ppm SO2 four months before bottling.

Clear and vibrant appearance. Lovely subtle nose of apples and pears. Very clean and pure, no reduction. Hint of honey and blossoms, and an underlying minerality which comes to the forefront with air. To taste it is pristine and fresh. Very linear with subtle flavors, and minerality that builds. Becomes more flavorful with time in the glass, and displays a fine texture, medium plus acidity, and a long and lingering finish. Freshly cut apple crunch, intertwined with lemon and honey essence. Very straight and sharp, rather than round or flabby. Beautiful tension on the finish, and the acidity becomes more mouthwatering. Flavourful and focused, this is a stunning expression of age-worthy Chenin. Beautiful to drink over a few days and watch the evolution. 

David Foubert, formerly a Paris journalist, moved to Saumur to study winemaking under Aymeric and Melanie, of Domaine Mélaric. He farms a mix of parcels leased from the recently retired Philippe Gourdon. The vineyards have been farmed biodynamically since 1998. The local Tuffeau (fossil-rich limestone) characterises the wines with a clay topsoil and Tuffeau underneath. In total he has 4 hectares of which he practices organic with some biodynamic principles.