Domaine des Pierrettes, Les Fourniers, Chenin Blanc, Touraine Amboise, 2023

13.00%

10 to 25 years old

HVE certified winery, in biodynamic conversion. Natural irrigation, no watering or water retention system. The Winter pruning done by hand ends by march. They apply the "one bra" cut, leaving 3 to 4 spurs maximum to keep lesser but higher quality grapes. 

The pruned branches, left between the rows, are mulched to fertilize naturally soils. The first trellising of vines happens in April. intensive weeds/grass cutting/grinding take place until June/July. Domaine des Pierrettes is in biodynamic conversion; all treatments are certified natural. The fewer the better. In September, samples of fruits are assessed to define which parcels are being harvested. The harvest being done by hand (around mid-September) allows optimal grape selection by sorting out right away flawed ones and avoiding bad aromas.

Grapes are pressed by pneumatic press with a gentle long program to extract the most qualitative juice. The fermentations happen in thermoregulated vats for 2 to 3 weeks. Following the fermentation process, the wine matures on its lees for 15 to 20 months. Once a month, the lees are resuspended, to extract their oenological properties. This is to obtain a long-lasting lush mouthful structure. For 10 months, the wine ages in neutral French oak barrel to deepen its structure and subtle aromatics.

Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc

150 cases

Loire Valley

The 2023 vintage in the Loire Valley, including Touraine, is described as a "complicated vintage," with a mix of challenges and successes. The growing season started well, but saw challenges with mildew, rain, and rot, particularly impacting Chenin Blanc. Fortunately, Domaine des Pierrettes had just invested in anti-frost towers. Also known as a wind machine, it is a tall structure equipped with a fan designed to mix warm, high-altitude air with the cold air near the ground, preventing frost damage to the buds. Thanks to that investment, they were able to mitigate part of its effects. Summer sustained an ideal weather for the fruits to mature at peak conditions, allowing long extraction and aging with the lees. A vintage branded by challenges to bring the best quality, with a low yield.

Amboise, Touraine, Loire Valley

Clay-with-flint. The soil is filled with lots of small stones, giving their name to the Domaine des Pierrettes. The percelle of "les Fourniers", like The Vouvray terroirs, consists primarily of stony hillsides of tuffeau (Turonian limestone) substrate, interspersed with valleys and covered with flint clays ("parakeet") and clay-limestone ("arbuis").