Tasting Notes
Biodynamic. Settled on a limestone plateau above the Loire, the chalky soils of Les Bournais would not be out of place on Vouvray’s première côte (home to Clos de Bourg and Le Mont). Unlike most of Montlouis—which is on clay and flint—this four-hectare vineyard lies on a pocket of clay and Bournais limestone, the stone from which it takes its name. The vines (planted in 1998) gently follow the contours of the land, right to the edge of a chalky precipice. It’s a beautiful site, and certainly one of Montlouis’ finest.
Chidaine’s vinification here is exactly the same as for the Clos de Breuil and Les Choisilles, yet the wine is clearly an altogether more ‘Vouvray’ expression of Montlouis, with a powdery, chalky structure that clearly reflects its soils and location. This is not necessarily a question of it being a better wine (although Chidaine does price it that way), simply different.- Importer Note
In France's Loire Valley, Chenin Blanc might be synonymous with the famed region of Vouvray, but François Chidaine has put the smaller, lesser known Montlouis sur Loire on the map.
Yes, Chidaine has done for Chenin in the Loire what Didier Dagueneau did for its Sauvignon Blanc, creating a renaissance of winemaking in Montlouis and resuscitating sites in Vouvray. His reputation amongst Loire vignerons should bring no surprise that in his youth, Dagueneau's own son Benjamin sought to gain experience from Chidaine.
Although Chidaine's Vouray vineyard wine, the Baudoin, is declassified to Vin de France on account of it being vinified across the river border, the collection really speaks of the terroir of Montlouis. Les Bournais is perhaps the the most "Vouvray-esque" of the Montlouis, but even the Chenin d'Ailleur, the Chenin "from another place" really echoes Chidaine's spirit of Montlouis. First made in 2016 when Chidaine lost most of his fruit to ferocious frosts, the Fort family in Limoux, Languedoc offered up part of their Chenin harvest to the Chenin Master. Despite more ideal conditions in the Loire over the past years, the relationship has weathered the storm, now with the third vintage of the Vin de France as a more playful and juicy offering amongst Chidaine's classic style.
The Montlouis sur Loire wines from François Chidaine are deep, powerful, layered and textural. Whole bunch, wild ferment and long ageing on lees in larger format neutral oak with a very considerate, hands off approach in the cellar gently guide these wines to bottle. A true master.
| Product Type | Wine White Chenin Blanc |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Country | France |
| Region | Loire Valley |
| Sub Region | Montlouis |
| Winemaking Practices | Minimal Intervention |
| Vineyard Practices | Organic/Biodynamic |