Pierre Menard Le Clos Mailles Chenin Blanc 2022

Country: France

Region: Loire

Type: White Wine

Grape: Chenin Blanc

After studying wine in the Agronomic school of Angers, Pierre Menard traveled the world to learn about winemaking in Canada, New Zealand and Hungary. Only in his late twenties, Pierre started to produce wine in the Layon in 2013, using a 100-year-old Chenin Blanc vineyard planted on schist called “Le Quart des Noëls”. The plot used to belong to his parents who withdrew some of the vines from their cooperative contract. Since his first vintage Pierre’s wines have been met with critical acclaim, and he has expanded his holdings to more than 1.5 hectares, all farmed biodynamically.

He makes several bottlings of Chenin Blanc from these old vines, all dry. In a region known for its passion for and ability to make sweet botrytis laden wines, Pierre feels the beauty of their terroir, in particular the schist soils and the old vines are best showcased when clean grapes are vinified completely dry. He makes several passes removing the grapes that are affected by the noble rot (and saves them for a sweet wine bottling) ensuring the remaining grapes are pristine and healthy. Winemaking is low intervention, no new oak, barrels range from 1-3 years, and a slow cold fermentation that often lasts until the spring adds layers of complexity and depth.

This wine is beautifully expressive, with aromas of stone and schist. Polished and mineral, with notes of plum, peach and orange fruits.