Nadège Wines, "S'aimer" 2021

In the western Loire's peaceable village of Saint-Lambert-du-Lattay, Nadège Lelandais works a property of 4.5 hectares of vines planted to Chenin, Cabernets Franc & Sauvignon, and some very (2020 planting!) young vines of Pineau d'Aunis. In addition to the fruit cultivated on these vines, she's expanded her range in recent years thanks to some négociant purchases of fruit grown by some friends nearby. The property here used to be run by Nadège and her former partner Laurent Herbel; however, with Nadège fully taking the reigns of the estate several years ago, the march to its current form has been a transformative one. The wines she makes are distinctly her own - distinct from what was made under the 'Herbel' line. From the very old (100+ year-old) vines in her triangular hillside vineyard 'La Pointe,' and the younger vines in her 'La Rue aux Loups,' these are focused wines that can often show a kind of textural breadth, sometimes some residual sugar, and really pleasant, complex oxidative notes both aromatically and palatally. All of this is to say: there is a depth to these wines that seems to capture both the sweet-wine history of this area's production in addition to the present moment's style for dry, with a flair and creativity readily exercised in between, whether it be in surprising choices for cépage, élevage, or time-of-harvest. Real Loire treats.

Loire Valley, France. A blend of Chenin & Sauvignon Blanc. Grapes are direct pressed and vinified in neutral oak, then aged 6 months. Bottled unfined, unfiltered with a touch of SO2.