2023 Thibaud Boudignon Clos Fremine Savennieres, Loire Valley

Thibaud Boudignon has become one of the Loire Valley's most exciting winemakers, producing Chenin Blanc of remarkable purity, texture and finesse. Based in Anjou, he has earned an international following for wines that capture the distinctive character of individual vineyards. Clos Frémine is one of his most sought after Savennières bottlings, a beautifully detailed white that demonstrates just how compelling dry Chenin Blanc can be.

Clos Frémine is a small walled vineyard in Savennières, where sandy soils over schist contribute to the wine's distinctive mineral character. The 2023 combines ripe fruit with the natural acidity and tension that make Boudignon's wines so impressive, creating a Chenin Blanc with both immediate appeal and serious ageing potential.

Pale gold with bright straw reflections. Quince, ripe pear and yellow apple mingle with lemon zest, chamomile and a hint of beeswax. The palate is concentrated and finely textured, with juicy orchard fruit, vibrant acidity and a firm, stony mineral backbone. Subtle notes of almond, citrus peel and savoury spice carry through a long, almost saline finish.

Try it with grilled abalone and lemon, roasted celeriac with hazelnut butter, or pan fried snapper with fennel and saffron. Its depth and freshness also make it a wonderful partner for aged goat's cheese and delicate mushroom dishes.

Cellaring: Drink 2027 to 2040+. A beautifully structured Chenin Blanc that should develop greater honeyed and savoury complexity over the next decade and beyond.