After the disastrous frost hit the Loire in 2016, the Chidaines began looking around France (among their friends) for a delicious, Loire-styled Chenin that would fit their needs. Their quest ended in Roquetaillade (Limoux) in the Pyrenees foothills where their friends Pierre & Marie-Claire Fort produce delicious wines and who have good contacts with local growers. Chenin grows here in the cool upper slopes where the vineyards are crammed full of chalky limestone. They easily found growers to buy grapes from and the rest is history.
The wine has a nose of quince laced with minerals and just a hint of smoke. In the mouth, although not interchangeable with Chidaine's Montlouis, it is surprising similar in style. The cristaline but rich middle leads into a wine with good persistence and crisp acidity. A wine so successful, that it quite possibly will make it into their lineup every year! |