2023 Chateau d'Epire - Savennieres (750ml)

Château d'Epiré is one of the oldest and most celebrated estates in Savennières, its grounds home to a striking building modeled on the Petit Trianon of Versailles and a winery housed in a former twelfth century Romanesque chapel. Vines have grown on this land since Roman times, and the domaine itself has remained in the Bizard family continuously since the seventeenth century. Paul Bizard took over from his father Luc in 2018 and immediately began converting the vineyards to organic farming, continuing the estate's long legacy while pushing its practices forward.

Savennières sits on the north bank of the Loire just southwest of Angers, and Epiré's vineyards there are widely regarded among the appellation's grands crus. The domaine draws primarily from three parcels, La Croix Picot, Le Parc, and Le Hu-Boyau, the latter sitting just above the famed La Coulée de Serrant vineyard. Vines average around thirty five years old and grow in schist soils topped with a distinctive blue slate that lends the wine firmness and mineral drive, aided by southern exposure and the moderating influence of the nearby river.

The glass shows a pale yellow color with aromas of citrus, green apple, and white flowers, layered with a subtle honeyed richness typical of Chenin Blanc. The palate is bright and precise, framed by high acidity and a firm mineral backbone that carries through to a long, clean finish. Its structure and tension make it a strong match for grilled sole, fresh oysters, or a young goat cheese.