Tuesday 7 October 2008
From Sue Hunt and Micaela Frow
(www.lagrandemaison.net)
Yesterday I found Eddie Oosterlink (Domaine de Juchepie) in his winery in Faye d'Anjou with a basket press exuding Chenin Blanc juice. At 13.5% potential alcohol this is destined to become one of Domaine de Juchpie's dry Chenins. It flowed continually during our rendez-vous, tasting within earshot of the sound of running juice was a constant reminder of the patience needed to produce wines of this calibre.
Juchepie: 2008 Chenin Blanc in small vertical press(photo: Sue Hunt)
Eddie Oosterlink analysing the 2008 Chenin juice (photo: Sue Hunt)
On the south to south-west facing slatey hillside where there is always a westerly breeze the botrytised chenin are yet to be harvested. In 2004, for Les Quarts, the vendage wasn't completed until November 11th, the numerous successive pickings resulted in a yield of just 10-15hl/ha. Le Passion 2004 was an incredible low 5-10hl/ha. The range of noble wines are all honeyed and luscious with sufficient grapefruit zest acidity to leave a refreshed palate. There is also a delicious passerillage 2003. The two dry wines are produced from low yields, just 30hl/ha. With only 6ha under vine and a mere 800 cases produced per annum these are wines well worth the hunt.
Sue Hunt
www.lagrandemaison.net
00 33 2 41 40 35 06
PS: Micaela saw Thomas Meunier at Frédéric Mabileau yesterday and according to him they are now due to start picking the reds today (8th Oct) in St Nicolas (after an initial picking on the 6th Oct) and will pick the Chenin for their Saumur Blanc at Le Puy Notre Dame on Saturday 11th October.
