2019 Clau de Nell Chenin Blanc

Description

These vineyards have been biodynamically cultivated since 2000. Significant financial difficulties and a call for aid from the previous proprietors brought the property to Anne-Claude Leflaive’s attention. In 2006, Anne-Claude and her husband, Christian Jacques, had created a company to help new biodynamic wine growers take advantage of their established commercial network. In order to assist the struggling venture, in 2008 they purchased the domaine, which had not produced any wine for three years due to lack of means. It was a moment of serendipity for the abandoned vineyards and the Leflaive-Jacques family, culminating with the arrival of Sylvain Potin, well-versed in biodynamic viticulture, to be their estate manager. Christian Jacques concludes that, “We have not chosen Clau de Nell, so much as Clau de Nell has chosen us!”

Vinification: 100% Chenin Blanc. Whole cluster, slowly and gently pressed in a pneumatic press. Cold settling followed by long fermentation with native yeast in 5 year old oak barrels from Burgundy.

Aging: Twelve months on fine lees in French oak, 5 vintage old casks. Aged in ancient troglodyte cellars cut into the limestone hillside on the property and then 6 months in stainless steel vat.

Bottled: Bottled without filtration or fining on April 29, a “flower day”