2018 Francois Chidaine, Montlouis-sur-Loire, Clos Breuil

François Chidaine manages this estate in Montlouis-sur-Loire, where he has long served as a leading figure in biodynamic viticulture and the region's growers' union. The 2018 Clos Breuil is made from Chenin Blanc vines that average 40 years of age, rooted in a terroir defined by clay and silex soils over a chalk bedrock. In the glass, this dry wine displays distinct aromas of pear and quince alongside a mineral-driven, salty character and a supple, balanced texture. The 2018 growing season provided grapes of high purity, which translates to a focused and energetic expression of this specific site. This is a versatile bottle that is ready to enjoy tonight but possesses the structural balance to evolve in the cellar for years.