2020 Domaine des Baumard Savennières Clos du Papillon

In the glass, the Baumard Savennières Clos du Papillon is a very light golden yellow in colour with a hint of grey. Complex and expressive nose, with a surprising, creamy and almost toffee-like undertone, typical of the combination of ripe chenin blanc + minerality of the Savennières terroir. Appearances can be deceiving, this wine has not been aged in wood! After some airing, the fruit aromas are released, with apple, pear and quince in the leading role, supported by subtle nuances of honey. On the tongue it is a very pure, fresh, mineral, fleshy, round and softly fruity wine. Impressive, mineral finish.

The fully ripe and healthy grapes are harvested manually between 20 September and 11 November in multiple picking sessions. 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 the sugars have fermented. Savennières is a dry, aromatic white wine. This wine strengthens and refines 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 tartare, accompanied or not by some asparagus tips. Older wines ask for firm sea fish or veal in a creamy sauce.

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 devastating invasion of the American voracious louse phylloxera, the family domain became a grafting and cultivation site for new vines on American rootstocks. In 1955,
Jean Baumard returns to the wine growing on the estate. In the 50s and 60s he expanded the estate 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 estate from his father with a 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 AOC area Savennières is less than 130 hectares in size and has a legally imposed maximum yield of 50 hl/ha. The 'Clos du Papillon' owes its name to the butterfly (papillon) shape of the 10 ha vineyard above the village of Savennières. The Baumard part of the Clos du Papillon is located in the eastern 'wing' of the butterfly, with an ideal location to the south. The soil consists of a mixture of here and there split and weathered, shiny beige, gray or even purple slate, and sandstone, sometimes purple, sometimes greenish due to the high feldspar content.