Francois Chidaine 2023 Montlouis-sur-Loire "Les Bournais", Loire Valley

A few years back François told us that he had just planted what he thought would one day be his greatest vineyard. A small parcel on the edge of the the Montlouis plateau looking out over the Loire. Les Bournais is the only parcel in Montlouis to posses the classic soil components that Vouvray is so famous for; solid limestone bedrock, covered with chalky limestone chunks and clay.  A few years have passed since the first vintage was produced (2008), and it is becoming very clear that François’ prediction has proved correct. The wine from this vineyard invariably shows that classic balance between mineral and acid tension backing up fleshy, forward fruit aromatics. The wines age incredibly well thus far, even from young vines. This is very classy wine.