Brendan Stater-West Saumur Blanc 2020
Les Chapaudaises is located in the Bizay terroir of the small village of Épieds, within half a kilometre of Saumur’s prized hill of Brézé. It’s next to Guiberteau’s monopole Clos de Guichaux, on the same sandy tuffeau limestone, the vines a mix of Chenin Blanc and old-vine Cabernet Franc. Stater-West’s landlord here is Romain Guiberteau (who crafts a red from this site), and he makes two cuvées from his one hectare of vines. The Saumur Blanc is drawn from the lower section of the vineyard where the vines are more vigorous and yield slightly higher than the parcel Stater-West uses for the cuvée below.
The grapes are simply whole-bunch pressed and wild-fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine stays on its lees for six months before bottling. This is a cracking Saumur Blanc: pulpy, pure and mineral with zesty acidity, juicy notes of mouth-watering pineapple and pear, and a crisp, salty finish. Just magic. Importer's Note.