Dry honey from the Loire
Loire Chenin Blanc is a neglected beast, an often unsung treasure of the world of wine. Sweet or dry, it can offer profound, honeyed depth, and typically ages very well. We've loved and stocked the fine wines of Domaine FL for some time; they combine classic dry Chenin Blanc notes with a positively Burgundian character. We'd been hearing rumblings about their Le Parc bottling for some time, but with such a small production none had come our way before. Now we've seized the chance to score a small parcel from this exceptional site.
Savennieres sits on a rich area of volcanic rock and Domaine FL's vineyards are largely rhyolite, a granite-like form. Chenin Blanc is the perfect match and produces pure and vibrant wines from these organic plots, which in 2014 were in conversion to biodynamics. Domaine FL is a relative newcomer but is formed out of two historical estates and founded on the twin principles of craft and graft - but utterly reliant on fabulous terroir.
Warm but with no heatwave, ripening was even and balanced in 2015, giving very high quality fruit. The 2015 Le Parc is defined by the mineral freshness that leads into a balanced, focussed palate and then the persistent finish. Delicious now, this is set to develop the beeswax-and-honey character so typical of mature Chenin, if of course you can wait that long. /CW
Offered subject to remaining unsold; for shipment Autumn 2018
