Coulée de Serrant 2010

It is a pleasure to introduce one of the world famous French iconic white wines, described in the first half of the 20th century by the famous “Prince of gourmets”, Frenchman Maurice Edmond Sailland (better known as Curnonsky), as being one of France’s five most unique and inimitable white wines. It´s a Chenin Blanc single varietal wine which was born in a small Loire vineyard over 800 years ago. Much has happened since the Cistercian monks first embarked on their great winemaking labour in the Vieux Serrant monastery, which banker, Nicolas Joly, burst into in the early 80’s. Joly had decided to “give up the cloth” of a life at the limit to retire to a haven of peace and clean-living in Savennières. Here he started a mini revisionist revolution against modern growing methods, dedicated himself to radical biodynamic growing and, through his gospel, spread practices which thousands of followers continue in vineyards around the world today.

Appearance

Golden yellow colour.

Nose

Although it has not been decanted, it is very fragrant. Notes of mustard and yellow apple. Definitely complex. Surprising seductive aromatic freshness.

Palate

Full of flavour, smooth and very pleasant. Aniseed flavours, yellow fruit, flower honey and a nice final.

Comment

Evident example of a thoroughbred wine Not all wines can boast their own denomination of origin and this in itself makes it abundantly clear what kind of wine we have before us. Excellent terroir? Well worked Biodynamics? Winemaking skill? It would probably make sense to think of the wine as a sum of all these factors, the result of which is a delicious white, currently very accessible, but which will bring us even greater pleasure if we have the patience to allow it further bottle ageing. It is not to be taken lightly, some wines do tend to pontificate, but on the other hand don’t be intimidated by the grandeur of its history. Sometimes, not making a big deal about something, makes it seem more approachable. And this is certainly the case here.