Isabelle et Pierre Clément de Chatenoy, Classique Blanc, Menetou Salon, Loire Valley, France, 2020
Overview of the Wine
The Clement have been wine-growers in Menetou-Salon, a quaint country village about 20 minutes southwest of Sancerre, since 1560 (16 generations). Isabelle and Pierre Clément, now joined by their daughter Anne, own 70 hectares of the finest, southwest exposed hillside vineyards in the appellation – shared by around 25 producers. The production is 80% white wine from Sauvignon Blanc and 20% red, from Pinot Noir. While Menetou-Salon is on the same side of the Loire River as its more famous neighbor Sancerre, it has the same fossil-rich Kimmeridgian limestone-clay soils that are prevalent in Chablis. These Kimmeridgian soils impart the distinctly complex, aromatic and elegant personality to Clément’s wines. The total production is around 600,000 bottles per year.
Farming/vinification practices: as of January 2022, the Clements are in their third year of transition to organic certification, expected in 2023. The Clements have worked their soils mechanically for many years. Grass is left to grow between the rows to protect against rot (it absorbs moisture). Only indigenous yeasts are used. All the tanks are temperature-controlled through a central computer that can be accessed remotely.
The wines are vegan.
Grape / Blend
Sauvignon Blanc
Origin
Loire, France
Winemaker's Tasting Notes
This is an amazingly vivid white, bursting with pure aromas of citrus, white peach and flowers. On the palate, it has a precise concentration with long-lasting flavors of red grapefruit, apricot, and minerals.
94 Points - Ian Blackburn
Absolutely spectacular Sauvignon Blanc with beautiful aromatics, body, weight, and style. Signature White Flowers, White Grapefruit, Citrus, and difinitive terroir/ minerality. The prefectly colored, abundantely aromatic wine with good concentration and definition leads to a great mouthfeel that stimulates and excites. Color 15/15 (Flawless), Aroma 24/25, Body 22/25 (Great value here), Overall 33/25 = 94 Points.
93 Points - Decanter
Product Size: 750ml
