Dom. Closel Savennieres Jalouise 2018

100% Chenin Blanc. The "La Jalousie" parcel is historically named Les Coulées" but was changed to comply with a Savennières-producing neighbor's wishes. The vines are generally the youngest of the estate at up to 25 years old, planted on sandy, schistous soils on gentle hills. Like the rest of the Closel estate, they are certified-biodynamic and low-yielding (36 ha/hl in 2018). The harvest is manual and the first at Closel, at normal ripeness when the grapes are still pale yellow, higher in acidity and fully healthy. The bunches are direct-pressed, then fermented spontaneously with native yeasts in fiberglass vats. The wine is aged in vat on its lees for a year before bottling; normally, Jalousie does not go through malolactic fermentation, but it did in the notably warm 2018 vintage. 2018 finished dry at only 1.7 grams/liter of residual sugar (and 3.6 grams/liter of acidity). This start to the Closel Chenin range is intended as a modern rendition of Savennières: approachable and fresh in its youth with a dry finish.

Produced from some of the domaine's young vines, this wine is soft, ripe and full of baked-apple and spice flavors. It is rich while still having plenty of young freshness. The wine needs no aging and its beautiful balance makes it very ready to drink. 90 pts. -Wine Enthusiast