2019 Baumard Savennieres Clos St Yves Sec Half Bottle 375ml, Loire Valley

Brilliant straw-yellow. Nose of white fruits and tropical fruits with touches of kumquat. Rounded, seductive attack on the palate with fresh almond accents. Superb balance, a persistent mineral edge and refreshing finish. Magnificent

93 points gilbertgaillard.com

Domaine des Baumard produces some of the finest examples of Savennieres, and Jean Baumard and now his son, Florent, are universally regarded as the finest winemakers in the appellation. Their wines are among the most unique and rewarding in the world: honeyed, dry whites of unmatched concentration, perfume, and longevity.

Florent Baumard’s other 7.5 hectares are contained entirely within the Clos Ste Yves, and the resulting wine may be marketed either as Clos Ste Yves (particularly in foreign markets or for the on-trade) or under the straight Domaine des Baumard label for other customers. The soils are schist, well suited to Chenin Blanc which accounts for 6.5 hectares of the Baumard vines, the remaining 1 hectare having been planted with Verdelho until recently.

Florent says that his father acquired the vines by accident, having purchased them in the dead of winter, the absence of leaves and other distinguishing features meaning the vines went unnoticed. It was only as the following year progressed, and they displayed their many differences, did he realise he had a hectare of Verdelho on his hands.