Coulée de Serrant Sec 2022 Vignobles de la Coulée de Serrant is considered by many to be one of the best French white wines (and rightly so). Its captivating charm, distinctive character, and exceptional scores (97 points from Wine Enthusiast & Wine Front, 93 points from Robert Parker) make it a truly rare and exceptional wine.
Nicolas Joly, a pioneer and “father” of Biodynamic farming, is an iconic winemaker, not only in the Loire Valley but also globally. His legendary and hard-to-find wines are the result of his winery, Vignobles de la Coulée de Serrant, situated in Savennières. Chenin Blanc is the variety that truly flourishes under his expertise.
Specifically, for the Coulée de Serrant Sec 2022 Vignobles de la Coulée de Serrant, the grapes originate from a 7-hectare vineyard, a monopoly of the Joly family, which also holds its own AOC Coulée de Serrant. The vines, averaging over 35-40 years in age, with some exceeding 80 years, are harvested in five distinct passes to ensure only overripe grapes are picked, with several affected by botrytis (noble rot).
Joly holds that Chenin, alongside Riesling, is one of the few grape varieties that can fully express its unique character only through a relatively advanced maturity, which also encompasses “noble rot.” The wine undergoes fermentation using indigenous yeasts and matures in 500-litre oak barrels (only 5% new) for approximately 5-8 months. This process results in an unparalleled complexity and impressive aging potential, a hallmark of the finest white wines globally.
If you’re only going to try one Chenin Blanc in your lifetime, then make it the Coulée de Serrant Sec 2022 from Vignobles de la Coulée de Serrant!
