2023 Nicolas Joly Savennieres Les Vieux Clos

The introductory Chenin Blanc into the stunning world of the wines of Nicolas Joly.

Price:
Sale price$165.00
Stock:
In stock, ready to ship, only 4 units left
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Description

Les Vieux Clos is the most inviting and aromatic expression from the legendary biodynamic estate of Nicolas Joly in the Loire Valley. This 100% Chenin Blanc is grown on 35-year-old vines, planted on gentle east-facing slopes of shale and sand at the heart of the AOC Savennières.

The 2023 vintage was a rewarding yet challenging one, with the team facing unpredictable weather and a long, slow harvest stretching into mid-October. Thanks to dedicated vineyard work and patient grape sorting, the wine beautifully captures the best of the season. Expect vibrant notes of ginger and coriander alongside an accent of salinity, all hallmarks of this cuvée.

Vinified naturally with indigenous yeasts and full malolactic fermentation, then aged in old oak barrels for eight months, this unfiltered Chenin Blanc is all about authenticity and place. It’s a wine that speaks to both the strength of the site and the unique Joly approach: elegant, balanced, and deeply expressive of its origins.

Enjoy it now for its bright aromatics, or let it rest in the cellar for even more complexity. A stunning glimpse into the world of biodynamic Chenin Blanc from one of France’s most revered estates.

VINEYARD
Region: Loire Valley
Appellation: AOC Savennières
Soil: Shale, sand
Age/Exposure: 35-year-old vines; gentle east-facing slopes
Vine Density: 4,800-6,700 vines/ha
Yields: 28-30 hl/ha
Certifications: Organic - Ecocert & Demeter 1981; Biodynamic - Ecocert & Demeter 1981

WINEMAKING
Varietals: 100% Chenin Blanc
Aging: 8 months in old oak barrels
Bottling Date: July 2024

TECHNICAL DETAILS
Yeast: Native
Alcohol: 13%
Total Acidity: 4.2 g/L
Residual Sugar: 2 g/L

WINERY
Famille Joly is widely known as one of the greatest biodynamic wine producers in France, embodying the intersection of well-respected history and refined technique. The estate is owned by the Joly family, led by Nicolas Joly, and aims to express the natural balance and beauty of the Loire Valley Chenin Blanc vineyards with respect and minimal intervention.

WINE
Les Vieux Clos provides an inviting taste into the Famille Joly style. The 5.5-hectare vineyard is planted on light slopes facing east in the mountainous AOC Savennières appellation. Yields are kept at 25 hectoliters per hectare (well below the 50 hl/ha requirement of the appellation). Unique to this wine in the portfolio, fermentation can be completed partly in tank.

VINEYARDS
Planted over 5.5 ha on light slopes facing east in the mountainous AOC Savennières region. The soil here is unique, with sand layered in the first 2 feet.

VINTAGE NOTES
A generous vintage arrives with pleasure, though we had to work hard to earn it. Early in the season, frost threatened until late April, but nature favored us this time. The growing season demanded constant attention and dedicated work in the vineyard. We nurtured the beautiful grape clusters through to harvest to achieve our desired yield. Summer brought challenging weather conditions—cold spells and dramatic temperature swings culminated in an almost tropical atmosphere. In September, the cool and damp climate slowed grape ripening and led to some rot developing. Our team of harvesters performed remarkable work, carefully sorting the grapes. The harvest extended nearly 6 weeks, from early September to mid-October, and this painstaking attention to detail paid off—the vintage shows beautifully in the bottle. The 2023s are elegant, long-lasting, and balanced, showcasing our Chenins perfectly.

WINEMAKING
Fermented naturally with 100% indigenous yeasts with no temperature control. The wine goes through full malolactic fermentation naturally, followed by a period of aging for 8 months in used oak barrels. No fining or filtering before bottling.

TASTING NOTES
The wine provides expressive exotic notes of ginger and coriander balanced with an accent of salinity. Les Vieux Clos is often considered the most aromatic of the three wines.

Price Bracket $101 and Above
Type White
Body Medium Bodied
Variety Chenin Blanc
Country France
Region Loire Valley
Feature Cult
Iconic
Women in Wine
Size 750ml
Vintage 2023
Closure Cork

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