Domaine des Baumard Savennieres 2018
(Loire, France) - [JS 91] [WS 90]

About the Wine:
Baumard’s Savennières bottling comes from their 15 acre Clos Sainte Yves vineyard between the Clos du Papillon and Roche aux Moines. The vineyard’s soil profile is of shale, sand and sandstone. Mutltiple passes are made in order to pick grapes at perfect maturity. In an average year yields can range from the absurdly low 30 hl/ha to the merely very low 50 hl/ha.

Vintage: 2018 was a nearly perfect vintage, avoiding the Spring frosts which plagued 2016 and 2017. Mild summer weather and a warm autumn produced perfectly ripe fruit with moderate alcohol, juicy acidity and dense concentration. The young wines will need time to open up in bottle – or a quick decant. Baumard’s 2018 Savennières is likely to be extremely long-lived and should blossom into a complex and regal maturity in 8-10 years.

Winemaking: The grapes are whole bunch pressed in a pneumatic press. Pressings are gentle and fractional, meaning that Florent Baumard collects the pressed juice at ascending intervals of pressure and ferments the lots separately. The wines are fermented in stainless steel tanks at low temperatures on their lees; no wood is used in the winemaking or aging process, which Florent believes allows him to achieve a purer expression of site. The wine then spends 9 months on the lees in tank before being bottled.

100% Chenin Blanc

13.5% ABV

Ratings & Reviews

91 Points - James Suckling:
"Intriguing aromas of orange peel, nutmeg, gunpowder and lemon pith. Medium-bodied with silky texture and a crisp, long finish. Fresh, elegant and supple. Drink or hold. Screw cap." (October 2022)

90 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This balanced white is clean and pure, with a refreshing profile, but also shows depth, with flavors of apple and peach, as well as hints of lanolin that linger on the minerally finish, bringing you back for another sip. Best from 2021 through 2028. 4,500 cases made, 900 cases imported." (November 2020)