Domaine de la Fontainerie 2023 Vouvray Sec, Loire Valley

In 1990, Catherine Dhoye Deruet took over winemaking duties from her father, and since then has been producing soulful, masterful dry Chenin Blancs and bracing sparkling wines letting nature determine how long to ferment and whether a wine will be dry or off-dry.  In this case, the 2023 is definitely a dry white wine.  With a medium-straw color, there is a rich, soulful aroma, followed by a clean, medium-bodied flavor enhanced by a pleasant minerally aftertaste.  Oh yes, there is that Loire acidity, not quite raging, but driving the wine.  Don’t expect overextraction or excess here.  Catherine doesn’t do excess.