2023 Thomas Batardiere Chenin Blanc ‘Le Cocus’ VDF, Loire, France

Certified Biodynamic. Chenin from a single plot, Les Cocus, planted in 1968 on the north-east/south-west slopes of Faye d’Anjou. The soils here are shallow just 30 to 40 cm of clay before hitting schist a lean, mineral-rich setting that shapes the wine from the ground up.

Harvested by hand, pressed slow and long. Fermentation kicks off naturally, no additions, no corrections. The wine is racked to neutral 500L barrels mid-ferment, where it completes both primary and malolactic on its own. Raised in the same casks for 12 months.

Bottled unfiltered. Depending on the vintage, a whisper of volcanic sulfur (10 mg/L) might be added a month before bottling but only if the year calls for it.