Domaine François Chidaine - Les Bournais 2022 - Montlouis

92/100 pts VINOUS “ I can’t imagine anyone not loving Les Bournais 2022! This is a carefully crafted, non-interventionist Chenin Blanc , grown on clay-limestone soils. The result is elegant and supple , with a lovely chalky line on the lingering finish. Considering the dryness and heat of the 2022 season, it’s to this wine’s credit that it retains notes of fresh pears and floral aromas, along with appealing acidity. Notes of nut paste derived from the lees complement the fruity flavors.”

Terroir: The estate's 20 hectares of Montlouis-sur-Loire vineyards (located on a plateau upstream from Tours, at the confluence of the Loire and Cher valleys) are spread across some thirty parcels, primarily in Husseau. The vines' deep roots seek freshness in the tuffeau subsoil , the white chalk typical of the Touraine region. The clay-flint soils, containing the famous small black flints known as " choisilles ," impart to the wines their characteristic elegant minerality.

Viticulture: The vines have been cultivated organically since 1992 and biodynamically since 1999.

Winemaking: After pressing, alcoholic fermentation is carried out by indigenous yeasts in demi-muids, 600-liter wooden barrels. It can last up to six months. Malolactic fermentation is not desired. Aging takes place on fine lees, also in the demi-muids.

Located in Montlouis-sur-Loire, Domaine François Chidaine is a leading name among Loire Valley winemakers. François Chidaine, a pioneer of biodynamic viticulture in the region, cultivates his vines with exemplary rigor and absolute respect for the environment. The estate's wines are captivating for their aromatic precision, vibrancy, and aging potential. This artisanal expertise and the winemaker's ecological commitment offer wine lovers a white wine of great purity, a true reflection of the Loire Valley terroir.