Savennieres Clos de La Coulee-de-Serrant 2021, Nicolas Joly

An iconic wine from an iconic Loire Valley vineyard, Clos de la Coulée de Serrant was originally planted in the year 1130 by Cistercian monks, and has been producing wine for nearly 900 years. Highly regarded by Louis XI, Louis XIV, Alexandre Dumas and Curnonsky, it is now a ‘monopole’ vineyard owned exclusively and farmed biodynamically by the Joly family. Sloping steeply towards the Loire river, with a south / south-east exposure, this is an ideal site for the production of one of the world’s greatest, if not the greatest, dry Chenin Blancs. The grapes are allowed to reach full maturity, with a touch of noble rot, while undergoing a painstaking selection to ensure full varietal and terroir expression. An impressive white wine to drink young, this has the capability to keep and improve for 2-3 decades.