France | Loire | Domaine de la Bergerie | Coteaux du Layon Rablay Clos de la Girardière

Coteaux du Layon Rablay Clos de la Girardière

Varietal
Chenin Blanc

Notes
VINEYARD: Rablay-sur-Layon is a small village at the heart of the Coteaux du Layon area, whose finest vineyards lie on the northern banks of the Layon river. Protected from the north and east by the Foret de Beaulieu and Foret de Brissac woodlands, the vines of Rablay enjoy a southerly exposure on the gently sloping gravelly banks above the river. The quality of the area's sweet wines is largely due to the local topography – itself due in no small part to the nearby rivers, including the Layon. Over the millennia the river has carved out gentle, south-facing slopes around Rablay, creating a sheltered mesoclimate that protects the vineyards from cold continental winds blowing in from the north and east. In late summer the morning mists rising from the river promote the development of botrytis (noble rot), an essential ingredient in the best Coteaux du Layon Rablay-sur-Layon wines.
Le Clos de la Girardiere is a 2.5ha parcel of Chenin with a S/SE exposure and planted on sand/gravel overlaying schist.

VINIFICATION: Hand-harvest conducted over the course of three passes. Very slow pressing followed by a long fermentation in oak barrels.

TASTING NOTES: A lovely balance of structure, freshness, sweetness, and delicacy.