Patrick Baudouin Le Cornillard Chenin Blanc

An academic and philosopher before becoming a winemaker, Patrick Baudouin is a Loire maverick often referred to as ‘poet of terroir’. His wines are best described as ‘untamed’ and really express the specific plot they hail from. They are not manipulated or massaged into a style; they are wild in nature yet precise and clean in the glass. Quality is everything to Patrick and all grapes are hand-picked and hand-sorted so that only the best fruit goes into his wines.

Le Cornillard is a plot with 100-year-old vines planted on schist which produce fruit of outstanding complexity and minerality. This is a step up from his Effusion Blanc. It has a hint of matchbox reduction on the nose alongside complex notes of dried herbs, lemon zest and tangerine. The palate has real depth and poise,  with flavours of ripe citrus, pineapple and peach. Long finish with a strong mineral backbone. A profound and superb Chenin.
Ideally served not too cold (around the same temperature as Chardonnay, around 12ºc) to allow the fruit to express itself fully.