Thibaud Boudignon - Savennières - Clos de Frémine 2018
Domaine Thibaud Boudignon is located in Anjou-Saumur, in the Loire Valley. Originally from Bordeaux and former Judoka, Thibaud Boudignon worked at Château Olivier (in Léognan) before perfecting his skills with Philippe Charlopin in the Côte de Nuits, in Burgundy. Shortly thereafter, he was hired by the producer of Chateau Soucherie in Savennières to be their winemaker in the late 2000s. His first - and most important - contribution to the estate was the introduction of strict organic practices in the vineyards. By buying his own estate in Anjou in 2008 and then renting a vineyard in Savennières, he built his reputation with a yield of only 1,000 bottles for 4.5 hectares of vines. A new cellar, built in 2016, adjoining Clos de la Hutte, has given Thibaud another dimension to his vinification. The aging takes place in a mixture of barrels, with less and less new oak throughout the range. The estate is managed with organic and biodynamic viticulture, but not certified.
For the record, at last count, wines from Thibaud Boudignon were found in 19 French restaurants that have obtained the Three-stars status in the Michelin guide.
Clos de Frémine is made from Chenin Blanc which is 35 years old and cultivated on the lieu-dit adjacent to Clos de la Hutte in the commune of Possonnière in Savennières. Fermentation is carried out with indigenous yeasts and malolactic fermentation is stopped. The wine is aged in a combination of 350 and 700-litres barrels, 10% of which are new.
Grape variety: 100% Chenin Blanc
