2021 Nicolas Joly Savennieres "Les Vieux Clos", Loire Valley, France

ABOUT THIS WINE

Les Vieux Clos provides an inviting taste into the Famille Joly style. The 5.5 hectares vineyard is planted on light slopes facing east in the mountainous AOC Savennières appellation. The soil is different here, with more sand in the first 2 feet. Yields are kept at 25 hectoliters per hectare (well below the 50 hl/ha requirement of the appellation). Unique to this wine in the portfolio, fermentation can be completed partly in tank. The resulting wine provides expressive exotic notes of ginger and coriander balanced with candied pear and an accent of salinity. Les Vieux Clos is often considered the most aromatic of the three wines.

No settling, no temperature control during fermentation, 100% indigenous yeasts, no fining. 6-8 months in old oak barrels

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Famille Joly is widely known as one of the greatest biodynamic wine producers in France, embodying the intersection of well-respected history and refined technique. The estate is owned by the Joly family, led by Nicolas Joly, and aims to express the natural balance and beauty of the Loire Valley Chenin Blanc vineyards with respect and minimal intervention. Coulée de Serrant, the family monopole, anchors the estate, and recently celebrated its 890^th harvest. The three vineyards, each of which is used for a single vineyard wine, are located southwest of Angers, and are farmed entirely biodynamically. Joly’s pursuit is to emphasize each unique facet of these sites, from the age, health and typicity of the soil, to the vine’s orientation and the micro-climate that surrounds them. Famille Joly wines are created to depict the balance of nature and its energy.