Appellation: Saumur Blanc
Cuvée: Les Gruches
Colour: White
Grapes: Chenin Blanc
About: from two tiny parcels of low yielding old vines that originally served Sebastien to make an off-dry wine which he abandoned. Then Emeline took a liking again to the parcel in 2011 and the new Cuvée was born. More dramatic, with intensity expected of old Chenin, intensely aromatic, complex but also relaxed expression of Chenin.
Vines
Location: near the Domaine in Saumur, and Dampierre.
Size: < 1.
Age: 80 years old.
Soils: limestone.
Exposition: flat.
Altitude: 80.
Training: guyot.
Farming: organic, biodynamic, ploughing. Certified AB.
Average yield hl/ha: 15.
Climate: .
Winemaking
Made in fibreglass and aged in new and one year old lightly toasted oak.
Vintage notes 2018
A lovely year with a great balance due to nature’s delivery of the right amount at the right time of both rain and sunshine. The risk of mildew was minimised. The resultant wines pack a lovely vegetal juiciness with pure aromas.
Yield hl/ha: 15
Harvested: mid sept
Bottles produced: 3,000
Date bottled: 2020-07
Alcohol: 13.5%
SO2 Total: 0 added
Tasting: a bit of wood now on top of spicy, super fine, gentle fruit, a touch of white pepper spice, baked apple, pastry, vegetal, and both rich and relaxed.