2019 Domaine des Baumard Savennières Clos du Papillon

In the glass, the Baumard Savennières Clos du Papillon is very light golden yellow in color with a hint of gray. 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 had no wood aging! After some time of 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 in several pickings between September 20 and November 11. After careful transport to the wine cellars, the undamaged and healthy grapes are pressed pneumatically. The alcoholic fermentation continues at moderate temperatures and slowly until all sugars have been 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, with or without some asparagus tips. Older wines call for firm sea fish or veal in a creamy sauce.

95 points Wine Enthusiastic & 91 points Wine Spectator

ABOUT DOMAINES DES BAUMARD

The Domaine des Baumard is located in the heart of the Loire Valley, in Rochefort sur Loire, approximately 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 estate became a grafting and breeding site of new vines on American rootstocks. Brought in 1955
Jean Baumard returns wine growing to the domain. In the 1950s 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 took over the domain from his father with one goal in mind: combining 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 hectare 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 fissured and weathered, shiny beige, gray or even purplish slate, and sandstone, sometimes purple, sometimes greenish due to the high feldspar content.