If you’re looking for a classic, old world expression of wine made from the Chenin Blanc grape (“Pineau de la Loire”), then the Savennières AOC, within the Anjou region of the Loire Valley, France, is a wonderful place to start.
This wine comes from Château d’Épiré, which has been in the Bizard family for centuries. While this wine was fermented in stainless steel, it was aged for approximately 6-9 months sur lie (i.e., on the fully-used yeast cells from fermentation) in chestnut and acacia barrels.
I love how this wine evolves as it washes over my palate, demonstrating complexity and character.
This wine has a medium lemon hue.
It offers medium(+) intensity of bright, youthful aromas. The aromas include primary notes of tart apple, pear, and underripe peach; also chamomile, wet stone, chalk, and blanched almond. It also offers secondary notes of cream and pie crust.
On the palate this wine is dry. It has high acidity, a medium body, medium alcohol, and medium intensity in flavors mostly consistent with the nose, but it evolves into more of a bruised apple and nutty quality. The finish is medium.
This particular “Cuvée Spéciale” is made of exclusively Chenin Blanc grapes sourced from the Domaine’s best vineyard, situated above the banks of the Loire River, with great sun exposure and elevation, lending to the balance of acidity and fruit character.
We have paired this wine with a pan-seared halibut, made with a lemon, butter, and caper sauce, and steamed asparagus. It goes very nicely.
Château d’Épiré, Cuvée Spéciale, Savennières. Vintage 2018. ABV 13.5%.
If you’re looking for a classic, old world expression of wine made from the Chenin Blanc grape (“Pineau de la Loire”), then the Savennières AOC, within the Anjou region of the Loire Valley, France, is a wonderful place to start.
This wine comes from Château d’Épiré, which has been in the Bizard family for centuries. While this wine was fermented in stainless steel, it was aged for approximately 6-9 months sur lie (i.e., on the fully-used yeast cells from fermentation) in chestnut and acacia barrels.
I love how this wine evolves as it washes over my palate, demonstrating complexity and character.
This wine has a medium lemon hue.
It offers medium(+) intensity of bright, youthful aromas. The aromas include primary notes of tart apple, pear, and underripe peach; also chamomile, wet stone, chalk, and blanched almond. It also offers secondary notes of cream and pie crust.
On the palate this wine is dry. It has high acidity, a medium body, medium alcohol, and medium intensity in flavors mostly consistent with the nose, but it evolves into more of a bruised apple and nutty quality. The finish is medium.
This particular “Cuvée Spéciale” is made of exclusively Chenin Blanc grapes sourced from the Domaine’s best vineyard, situated above the banks of the Loire River, with great sun exposure and elevation, lending to the balance of acidity and fruit character.
We have paired this wine with a pan-seared halibut, made with a lemon, butter, and caper sauce, and steamed asparagus. It goes very nicely.
Château d’Épiré, Cuvée Spéciale, Savennières. Vintage 2018. ABV 13.5%.
May 21st, 2021
Savennières, Anjou-Saumur, Loire Valley, France
