$45.99 on 6+ (code: 6saves2)

Château Yvonne has become one of the most highly regarded estates in Saumur, producing wines that capture the essence of Chenin Blanc and the unique geology of the Loire Valley’s tuffeau-rich hillsides. The domaine, located in Parnay just south of the Loire River, is farmed organically and biodynamically, with a strong emphasis on biodiversity, soil vitality, and minimal intervention. These practices not only safeguard the health of the vineyards but also allow each cuvée to clearly express the nuances of site and vintage.

The vineyards for the Saumur Blanc are composed largely of old-vine Chenin Blanc, many parcels planted between 40 and 80 years ago. The soils are dominated by chalky tuffeau limestone, interspersed with clay and sandy patches, which provide excellent drainage while retaining enough water to support the vines during warm, dry summers. This distinctive terroir contributes both the wine’s tension and its signature mineral depth, while the cooler microclimate of Saumur preserves freshness and aromatic lift.

In the cellar, Château Yvonne follows a philosophy of patience and restraint. The grapes are harvested by hand at optimal ripeness, pressed gently, and fermented with indigenous yeasts. The wine is aged for around 12 months in a combination of neutral oak barrels and larger foudres, with no new wood used so as not to obscure the transparency of the fruit. Lees contact lends texture and complexity, while very low additions of sulfur preserve purity and ageworthiness. No fining or filtration is employed before bottling, allowing the wine to retain maximum character.

The 2023 vintage is a striking expression of Chenin Blanc that balances concentration with finesse. Aromatically, it opens with lifted notes of orchard fruit—ripe pear, quince, and yellow apple—mingled with citrus zest, honeysuckle, chamomile, and subtle hints of almond. Beneath the fruit lies a distinct chalky minerality, a hallmark of the Saumur limestone. On the palate, the wine is both powerful and elegant: taut, crystalline acidity provides structure, while a fine, creamy texture from lees aging rounds out the edges. Layers of Meyer lemon, green apple, white peach, and quince unfold across the mid-palate, accented by savory herbal tones and a saline undertone that echoes the vineyard’s limestone bedrock.

The finish is exceptionally long and precise, carrying flavors of citrus peel, crushed stone, and sea spray. While delicious in its youth, showing purity and vibrancy, the 2023 Saumur Blanc has the structure and balance to age gracefully for at least 10–15 years, evolving greater complexity, honeyed depth, and lanolin texture with time in bottle.

This wine is a superb partner at the table: pair it with fresh oysters, scallops, or lobster to highlight its saline drive, or with roasted poultry, white asparagus, and Loire goat cheeses to complement its richer dimensions. Above all, it is a wine that exemplifies the pedigree of Chenin Blanc in Saumur—refined, energetic, and deeply expressive of place.