Olympic medallist-turned-vigneron Thibaud Boudignon has just appeared on the radar of the Vinous critic Rebecca Gibb. Awarding her report’s highest score to Clos de la Hutte (with La Vigne Cendrée and Clos de Fremine just a notch behind) she remarks “oh, my, the purity of his wines is impeccable…The transparency and harnessed power of these wines offer a contrast to the bigger, bolder Savennières styles”
The report focusses on Thibaud’s Savennieres cuvees, a trio of wines that see him reinvigorating some of the appellation’s finest vineyards. Unfortunately, these bottlings are produced in tiny quantities, so they often sell out on release – a situation only likely to intensify now the cat’s out of the bag.
Read MoreFortunately, Thibaud produces two other cuvees from his vineyards across the river in Anjou, both of which offer a jumping in point to the Boudignon style. They are produced with exactly the same care and attention as his single vineyard Savennieres.
The domaine Anjou is a burst of crisp salty stone fruit and fine citrus zest, both invigorating and compelling with the overall quality of crystalline Spring sunshine about it. A Francois(e), from a specific parcel of vines on schist soils, is one of the most mineral wines on our entire list; a shard of salty minerality that leaves flavour etched onto the palate. Precision is the word with these wines, both in the attentiveness of the farming – one look at Thibaud’s hands will tell you he’s in the vines daily – and in the cellar. Recently awarded a coveted 4th star from Bettane and Dessauve, and listed on a roll call of French Michelin starred establishments, from Dame de Pic, to Le Bristol, Arpege and Guy Savoy, these are reference point Chenin Blancs from one of the Loire’s most exciting young talents.
This wine is in stock and available for immediate delivery.