Clos des Plantes Poiesis 2021

2021 Poiesis (Chenin Blanc)
Clos des Plantes
Olivier Lejeune
Anjou, Loire Valley

Poïèsis is typically made from the parcel ‘les Cailloux’, 30 year-old vines in schiste- sandstone-quartz soils.  In shorter years he will blend it with the parcel ‘Clos des Plantes’ (30 year-old vines) that is planted in green/red schistes.  As far as vintages ago, 2021 was a classic year, cooler with smaller production because of pressures in the vineyards.  This is a remarkably pure and expressive single-vineyard Chenin. The soils for these plots are rich in schist and quartz, imparting a deep minerality to the final wine that compliments layers and layers of stone fruit, citrus and beeswax.

In the cellar, Olivier's goal is to reduce the number of filters between the fruit and the wine. Once the Chenin is pressed on an old vertical press (not all that common, but a growing trend that adds a beautiful texture to the wine), fermentations start spontaneously on wild yeasts and in fiberglass tanks. Once the fermentation is ready, the must is transferred to neutral barrels by gravity and left untouched for 12 months until racking and bottling.

2020 - My Tasting Note (not this 2021 wine)
I had this last week by chance to check in on it as a bottle crossed my path doing some inventory work.  Popped and poured, this was classic chenin.  Med+ yellow/gold in color.  Lanonlin, chamomile, sweet meyer lemons and limes, pear, and beeswax notes rise from the glass with a medium+ intensity and a core of minerality.  Med/med+ body and acidity, medium+ flavor density, and a very long, complex finish. The minerality core is buried a little deeper on the palate because of the generosity of 2020 but fear not it is clearly there providing good energy along with the acidity.  This was one of the more exciting and very fun Chenin I have had in some time.  This can easily go another 7-10 years in the cellar.

2017 - My Tasting Note (not this 2021 wine)
The nose is pure and fresh Chenin: the lanolin calling card is there, with loads of fresh green apple and pear, meyer lemon and its citrus florals, and a clear transfusion of minerality.  The palate was med/med+ in body with med+ down the line for acidity, flavor density, and length. The minerality really comes through on the mid-palate and finish as this and the acidity are the core of this wine’s energy that light up the fruit and florals on gorgeous display.  The weight on this is great too, but not heavy by any means.  Exceptional balance, excellent wine!
A remarkable effort for the first vintage of this new vigneron.  Drink now or hold 5-8 years.  It could go more so I am being conservative since there is no track record. #CHENINCHENINCHENIN