Pierre Menard La Varenne de Chanze 2019
LESS IS MORE WINESGrape: Chenin Blanc
Vintage: 2019
Type: White
Pierre Menard grew up in a winemaking family in Anjou. He went on to study winemaking in Angers and to work stints in Pauillac at Chateau Latour, in the Duoro, Canada, New Zealand and in Tokaj, Hungary. When he returned home to Anjou, he began farming a few rows of his family’s old vine Chenin and Sauvignon Blanc. Traditionally his parents sold the grapes from all 13 hectares of their vines to a cooperative, but they agreed to let him keep some for his own project. In 2013, while still in his twenties, he bottled a miniscule number of bottles in a garage turned wine cellar. This inaugural vintage was received with great critical acclaim and a rising star of Anjou was born. Since then, Pierre has expanded his holdings to more than 1.5 hectares, all farmed biodynamically. He makes several bottlings of Chenin Blanc from these old vines, all dry.The wine has a brilliant gold color, and the aroma is immediately striking. It features beautiful notes of ripe melon, quince, and pear, followed by lemon citrus, nutmeg, and stony gravel. Fragrant honeysuckle adds classic honey notes that are typical of some Chenin wines. On the palate, there is a balanced and slightly sweet combination of apple, lemon, peach, pineapple, pear, and lime flavors. A hint of gravel prevents the fruit from becoming overwhelming. The wine has a pleasant acidity, and the finish is long-lasting and enjoyable. The wine was aged in neutral French oak barrels to achieve a mellow texture and mouthfeel.