2020 Château La Trochoire VDF from Chinon “Cuvée Elisabeth”

100% certified organic and biodynamic Chenin Blanc from a 7.5 acre vineyard on heavy clays on limestone subsoil. Farmed by hand and with horses. The grapes are hand harvested with several sorting stages, then pressed directly. They undergo native yeast fermentation and aging in oak barrels for 12 months, followed by 15 months of aging in old wooden vats. These wines are made naturally, with no alterations or additives during fermentation, except for a small amount of sulfites during bottling.

This is a delicious, medium to full bodied, ripe, textured and mineral driven style of Chenin Blanc at a great price. Pours a golden yellow color and shows off notes of yellow peach, green apple, salted caramel, buttery toffee, mustard seed and bee pollen alongside smokey, flinty, rocky mineral notes. A textured mouthfeel and energetic high acidity cut through everything going on here keeping it fresh. 

The desire of two parents to create a unifying project for their three sons led to the establishment of La Trochoire in 2015. Located in a unique location in Chinon overlooking the Vienne Valley, the certified organic estate creates a unique wine while never exploiting the land. 7.5 acres of Chenin Blanc vineyard is farmed by hand with horses. Designed to be as simple as possible, the resulting wines extract what the land has to offer. Hedges, orchards, vineyards, meadows and cultivated land alternate harmoniously. They have a flock of Solognot sheep that graze through the estate.