Savennières Clos du Papillon
100% Chenin Blanc. From certified-biodynamic estate vines in the esteemed Clos du Papillon vineyard, considered one of the grands crus of the appellation. The Clos du Papillon lies in a coulée, a small ravine or valley that cuts across the Savennières hillside. The steep slopes have perfect south-southwestern exposure and thin, sand, stony topsoil over hard mother rock. There are 4 parcels of vines, which range in age from 7 to 75 years old. Their disparate ages necessitate a month-long harvest, as the different plots come to full ripeness at various times. The fruit is picked healthy, with no botrytis. The bunches are very gently direct-pressed and fermented spontaneously with native yeasts and no sulfur in 420-liter demi-muids (about 10% new). The wine goes through malolactic fermentation and is aged 18 months on its fine lees in the same barrels. Bottled without filtration and a modest--its first--addition of sulfur.