2018 Vouvray Spring

100% Chenin Blanc. The main plots of the domaine are on limestone with some flint and clay; average vine age 30 years. The harvest was partly by hand and partly by machine with an average yield of 45 hl/ha. The grapes were sorted by hand and whole-bunch pressed, prior to a 24-hour cold settling. A long cool fermentation using indigenous yeast and very minimal sulphur additions took place in tanks and vats in the natural temperature of the underground cave. Following fermentation the wine was aged mainly in tank, with 25% going into 500-litre old (up to 5 years old) oak barrels. Bottling the following spring with a light filtration and minimal sulphur addition. TA 4.1 g/l, pH 3.4, RS 4.5 g/l. Available from 220 branches including WaitroseCellar.com. Real tangy, meaty intensity. Really does taste like spring! Pure and so true. Great aperitif with undertow of honey and wild flowers and apple skins. Super-tangy! Long. The previous vintage was a Wine of the Week . GV (JR)