SAVENNIÈRES

2020 Clos de la Coulaine Château de Pierre Bise

IN STOCK
Grapes Chenin Blanc
Colour White
Origin France, Loire
Other Certified Organic
Sub-district Anjou
Village Savennières
ABV 13.5%

René Papin treats his various cuvées of Savennières in the same manner as his white Anjou, with the same élevage in barrels and jarres. From a site characterised by sandy soils over green and purple Ordovician schist, this shows an attractive evolution on the nose compared to the younger wines tasted alongside, with floral notes of honeysuckle and dried peach. This palate presents this same character in a finely posed and sinewy substance infused with veins of minerals, some grip and fresh acidity. This has lovely potential. The alcohol on the label is 13.5%. Rating: 93 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Aug 2024)

*Case price discount: Mix any 12 bottles of wine (or 9 litre equivalent) or 6 bottles of Champagne, Spirits, Sweet Wine or Fortified (4.5 litres) to get the discounted 'case price' for each bottle.

The 2020 Clos de Coulaine is a rich, savory style of Savennières. It has substance and richness of tannin, giving this a satisfying, almost red wine-like structure. There's depth and concentration here, wrapped in a compact package with savory apple, spice and smoky notes lingering long, drawing out on the long finish. Drinking range: 2024 - 2035 Rating: 92 Rebecca Gibb MW - Vinous.com (Jun 2023)

Château de Pierre Bise

René Papin is the third generation of this organically-farmed estate, having taken over from his father Claude. The estate now includes the Roche aux Moines, Clos Le Grand Beaupréau and Clos de Coulaine in Savennieres, as well as sites in Coteaux de Layon and Quarts de Chaume

The family describe their farming methods, which go beyond simple organics, as 'conservation agriculture' - the vineyards are grassed over and worked as little as possible to preserve and encourage microbial life. The estate's Japanese agronomist, Masanobu Fukuoka, also believes straw is good for the soil structure.

The valley of the Layon brings mists in the late autumn which favour the development of botrytis for the famous Chenin Blanc sweet wines. The Papins like to focus on getting the ripest and most botrytised grapes possible by harvesting non-stop for two months for the sweet wines, only taking the rot-affected grapes on each of several passes down each row of vines. For the dry wines they are looking for fully mature polyphenols and thin mature skins to add complexity and a pure intensity. The labour intensive processes continue in the winery, in prolonging the fermentations for as long as possible to achieve the greatest polymerisation of the polyphenols and greatest purity and freshness of expression in the wines. René has added larger foudres as well as some amphorae to futher refine the ageing process.

This wine isn't currently part of a mixed case, but you can always browse our full selection of mixed cases here.
  • For full delivery details see our Delivery page.
  • We offer free nationwide* delivery for all orders over £150 with our own vans. We also offer an express delivery service for an additional charge.
  • Order & Collect from any of our 5 London shops. Order by Midnight for collection the next working day from 11am.
  • Private wine storage: we offer a full In Bond and Duty Paid private wine storage service - find out more here.

ORDER     COLLECT

ORDER ONLINE AND COLLECT FROM ONE OF OUR SHOPS