13% abv, Ruillé, imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA. Cork closure: composite. Biodynamic calendar: leaf day.
Winemaking notes: 100% Chenin Blanc from 40-year-old vines, from a 6-ha vineyard on limestone and clay. “The Janviers rent sixty-six different parcels (a total of nine hectares) of land and farm it entirely themselves. Jasnières produces some of the best dry Chenin Blanc (Pineau de la Loire) in the world, and its wines are said to reach their peak ten years after the vintage. The soils of their parcels are comprised of clay, limestone, sand and silex (flint), and are planted primarily to Chenin Blanc. KLWM imports one bottling of their red, made from the lighter-bodied and elegant indigenous red grape, Pineau d’Aunis. Their “Cuvée du Silex” parcel has distinct flint in the soil, lending notes of gunpowder to this beautiful, crisp Chenin. There is no doubt that Pascal and Dominique have chosen the path less traveled, though at the first sip of their wine, one understands why they keep working so hard. The grapes undergo a two-hour pressing following the harvest. The juice is then put in cuve for twelve to twenty-four hours, is racked, and then begins alcoholic fermentation. Temperatures during fermentation are monitored and must not pass 20 – 25 degrees Celsius. Sugar levels are monitored daily. Fermentation is monitored daily and stops when equilibrium is found between the acidity and sugar.Another racking takes place after fermentation, then the wines age on fine lees in stainless steel cuve for a few more months before bottling.”
Tasting note: the Jasnières is medium lemon in color with a clean nose of medium intensity with aromas of orange blossom, honey, lemon, apple, satsuma and ginger spice. On the palate this wine is dry with medium+ acid, medium body, medium flavor intensity and medium minus finish with flavors of jasmine, nectarine, peach, ginger, yellow apple, apricot jam, and honeycomb. Drink now this wine has some nice complexity and balance and is pretty good: 8.8/10.
