Clau de Nell (Anne Claude Leflaive) Chenin Blanc, Val de Loire IGP, Loire Valley, France 2020

100% Chenin Blanc

Whole cluster fermentation, slowly and gently pressed in a pneumatic press. Cold settling followed by long fermentation with native yeast in 5-year-old oak barrels from Burgundy. Ages for twelve months on fine lees in French oak, 5-year-old casks. Aged in ancient troglodyte cellars cut into the limestone hillside on the property and then 6 months in a stainless steel vat.

Domaine Clau de Nell is located in the Loire Valley wine region of Anjou, southeast of Angers and northwest of Saumur, in the village of Ambillou-Château. These vineyards have been biodynamically cultivated since 2000. Significant financial difficulties and a call for aid from the previous proprietors brought the property to Anne-Claude Leflaive’s attention. In 2006, Anne-Claude and her husband, Christian Jacques, had created a company to help new biodynamic wine growers take advantage of their established commercial network.

In order to assist the struggling venture, in 2008 they purchased the domaine, which had not produced any wine for three years. It was a moment of serendipity for the abandoned vineyards and the Leflaive-Jacques family. Christian Jacques concludes that, “We have not chosen Clau de Nell, so much as Clau de Nell has chosen us!”

Demeter certified 100% Biodynamic