2013 Chateau de La Mulonniere Savennieres L'Effet Papillon Loire

Savennières located in the Loire Valley is a small and charming appellation that’s focused mainly on producing wines made with Chenin Blanc. This under-the-radar appellation is finally waking up the interest of major wine critics, consumers, and pros who are realizing the extraordinary potential that this region has to give.

Decanter said, “quality is high to exceptional across this small appellation, and yet, it is still little known, even in France. It has a good reputation but in a very small circle.”

This is a wine as enchanting as the Loire Valley landscapes that birthed it. People who love apple and pear cider flavors will relish this drier and superior wine.

The vineyards of Château de La Mulonnière are rooted in the schist and schistose clay soils of Beaulieu-sur-Layon, with influences from spilite and aeolian sand that make up the Plateau d’Epiré. These soils lend a distinctive character to the wine, infusing it with the honest complexity that Coteaux-du-Layon is celebrated for. Here, the vines thrive, producing grapes that are hand-harvested only when perfectly overripe, ensuring every bottle encapsulates the essence of the Loire's sensitive and noble nature.

The 2013 vintage is a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation. After the grapes are harvested, they undergo a 12-hour skin-contact maceration before fermenting in both oak casks and stainless steel tanks. This careful process extracts the purest expression of the Chenin Blanc grape, followed by 9 months of aging in barrels, which adds layers of complexity and depth.

Aging: 9 months in barrels.

100% Chenin Blanc. White fruit (quinces, peaches) and yellow fruit (apricots, mirabelle plums), followed by aromas created by the maturation process (oak, vanilla, sweet liquorice). On the palate, the wine bursts with lemon soufflé, dried apple with white fruit aromas coupled with a zippy acidity, wonderful mouthfeel, and giving it superb length. Pair it with fish or shellfish, cheeses.

New on the shelves at only some Waitrose stores (but also at Waitrose Cellar online), this is a real wine lover's wine. A dry Loire Chenin Blanc with eight years of age under its belt, this is all about complexity and evolution, not primary fruit. The grapes were hand harvested when they were overripe, and skin contact maceration took place for 12 hours before fermentation in oak casks and stainless steel, and seven months in stainless steel. Golden in the glass, this shows its age deliciously, with notes of hawthorn, hay, dry honey, nuts, and some white peach, all lingering on the finish. Structured, and full bodied despite the modest alcohol, this is a bargain at under £20. Enjoy it with simply prepared fish or roast chicken, and let the wine be the star. ~94 Decanter (v.2015)

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