2018 Domaine des Baumard Savennières Clos du Papillon

In the glass, the Baumard Savennières Clos du Papillon has a very light golden yellow color with a hint of gray. Complex and expressive nose, with a surprising, creamy and almost toffee undertone, typical of the combination of ripe chenin blanc + minerality of the Savennières terroir. Looks can be deceiving, this wine has had no wood aging! After some time of airing, the fruit aromas are released, with apple, pear and quince in the lead, supported by subtle nuances of honey. On the tongue it is a very pure, fresh, mineral, fleshy, round and soft fruity wine. Impressive, mineral finish.

The fully ripe and healthy grapes are harvested manually in several rounds between September 20 and November 11. After careful transport to the wine cellars, the undamaged and healthy grapes are pneumatically pressed. The alcoholic fermentation continues at not too high temperatures and slowly until all sugars have been fermented. Savennières is a dry, aromatic white wine. This wine enhances and enhances the taste of the dishes. Surprising with sushi and sashimi (careful with ginger and wasabi) and lightly smoked salmon. Delicious with thin slices of raw scallops with oscietra caviar and oyster leaf or oyster tartar, whether or not accompanied by some asparagus tips. Older wines call for hearty sea fish or veal in a creamy sauce.

95 points Wine Enthusiast & 91 points Wine Spectator

ABOUT DOMAINES DES BAUMARD

In the heart of the Loire Valley lies the Domaine des Baumard, in Rochefort sur Loire, about 20 km southeast of Angers. The domain is located on a small noble estate from the 17th century, Logis de la Giraudière. Wine has been made here since 1634! After the destructive invasion of the American ravenous louse phylloxera, the family estate became a grafting and breeding ground for new vines on American rootstocks. Brought in 1955
Jean Baumard brought viticulture back to the domain. In the 50s and 60s he expanded the domain with vineyards in Anjou itself, but also on the other side of the Loire river: Quarts de Chaume, Savennières. In 1987, Florent Baumard takes over the domain from his father with one goal in mind: to combine the specific terroir characteristics with excellent technical knowledge and skills. The result is a true aromatic
explosion and a very homogeneous wine range. The Savennières AOC area is less than 130 hectares in size and has a legally imposed maximum yield of 50 hl/ha. The 'Clos du Papillon' takes its name from the butterfly (papillon) shape of the 10 ha vineyard above the village of Savennières. The Baumard part of the Clos du Papillon is in the eastern 'wing' of the butterfly, ideally facing south. The soil consists of a mixture of cracked and weathered, shiny beige, gray or even purplish slate, and sandstone, sometimes purplish, sometimes greenish due to the high feldspar content.