2022 Thibaud Boudignon Savennieres Clos Fremine, Loire Valley

The 2022 Savennières Clos de Fremine has purity and tranquility; it's a cloud of Chenin Blanc blossoming in the mouth. There were a lot of grapes that didn't make the grade in 2022 due to the hot, dry conditions of the season, but the strict sorting implemented by Boudignon and team appears to have done the trick. The wine is gently fresh, but a salty line provides persistence. An appetizing fragrance of chamomile, honey and nectarine lingers long in the mouth. Drink 2025-2037.

94 points Rebecca Gibb MW vinous.com

Thibaud Boudignon Savennieres Clos Fremine from the Loire Valley is a stunning expression of Chenin Blanc—tense, focused, and effortlessly elegant. Clos Fremine is a tiny, walled vineyard adjacent to the famed Clos de la Hutte, and while it shares the same schist-rich soils, it brings a slightly softer, more floral character. It’s still precise, still mineral, but with a touch more charm.

Winemaker Thibaud Boudignon has become one of the most exciting names in French wine, known for his laser-sharp style and almost obsessive attention to detail. He farms organically, picks early for freshness, and uses minimal intervention in the cellar—fermentation in large oak barrels, no additives, and plenty of time on lees to build quiet power and structure.

Clos Fremine opens with aromas of white flowers, Meyer lemon, pear skin and a touch of chamomile. On the palate, it’s all tension and texture—green apple, crushed rock, lemon pith and a cool, salty finish that lingers for ages. There’s no fat, no flash—just clarity, purity, and a sense of calm precision.

It’s brilliant with oysters, delicate white fish, lemony roast chicken or even soft cheeses like Saint-Marcellin. Serve it cool, give it some air, and let it unfold in the glass.