2022 Saumur, Blanc, La Peyanne, Domaine Théo Blet, Loire
Critics reviews
Drink 2024-2030
Andy Howard MW, janicisrobinson.com (October 2024)
Only the second vintage from this new, young producer, this easy and fresh, citrussy Chenin is as bright as a button, with a featherlight finesse that is impressive in the warm 2022 vintage. Graceful and stylish, with a silky texture, it finishes with a lightly salty, grapefruit and clementine tang. Highly drinkable and wholly enjoyable short- to mid-term drinking.
Drink 2024 - 2030
Beverley Blanning MW, Decanter.com (January 2024)
About this WINE
Domaine Théo Blet
Théo is the fourth-generation Saumur winemaker of his family and is slowly taking vines over from his father. Théo is a winemaker and not a vine farmer like his father. Gradually, he is taking the reins of key parcels from the 16-hectare family domaine to make his own-labelled cuvées.
With a deep respect for the land, Théo started organic conversion two years ago on the plots from which he makes his wines. Everything is picked by hand. His 100% Chenin cuvée, La Peyanne, is his flagship wine and a lieu-dit in the commune de Courchamps. Only 3,500 bottles were produced in 2022. Théo also decided to make a 100% Cabernet Franc cuvée called Le Corbin situated in the commune of Ulmes. Only 1,500 bottles were produced in 2022.
Today, La Peyanne and Le Corbin represent one hectare of production, while the remaining grapes continue to be sent to the local cooperative his father has been working with for years. The idea is to expand the production area for Théo’s own domaine label in the coming years. He states that his challenge is re-establishing wine production across the estate to showcase several generations' heritage. With only a few vintages, he is already making noise in the Loire as a young, dynamic grower with big projects in mind. He is certainly one to watch in the coming years.
Anjou-Saumur
Anjou-Saumur is a Mid-west Loire region most famous for the fine sweet Chenin Blanc wines of Bonnezeaux, Coteaux du Layon (including the exemplary - if tiny- Quarts de Chaume appellation) and Coteaux de l'Aubance.
The bulk of the wines produced in the Anjou region comprise the bland `Rosé d'Anjou' (made from the Grolleau grape) and marginally better Cabernet d'Anjou; Some smoky dry Anjou Chenin Blanc also produced.
The Saumur region's bread and butter is its Mousseux, while it also produces some dry Saumur Chenin (similar to Anjou's version) and some impressive Cabernet Franc, chalky dry thanks to the `tuffeau' soils.
Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc is an important white grape variety planted in the Anjou-Saumur and Touraine regions of the Loire Valley and the most widely planted varietal grape in South Africa.
In the Loire it produces high quality dry wines in Savenniéres, and luscious sweet, dessert wines in Coteaux du Layon, Bonnezeaux and Quarts de Chaume. In Vouvray and Montlouis it can be dry, medium dry, or sweet, and still or sparkling. Whether dry or sweet, the best Loire Chenin Blancs possess marvellously concentrated rich, honeyed fruit together with refreshingly vibrant acidity. It is Chenin Blanc's high acidity that enable the wines to age so well.
In South Africa Chenin Blanc is easier to grow and is prized for its versatility. It is used as a cheap blending option with Chardonnay, Colombard, and Muscat but also bottled unblended. The best producers keep their yields low and produce impressive mouthfilling wines.
When is a wine ready to drink?
We provide drinking windows for all our wines. Alongside the drinking windows there is a bottle icon and a maturity stage. Bear in mind that the best time to drink a wine does also depend on your taste.
Not ready
These wines are very young. Whilst they're likely to have lots of intense flavours, their acidity or tannins may make them feel austere. Although it isn't "wrong" to drink these wines now, you are likely to miss out on a lot of complexity by not waiting for them to mature.
Ready - youthful
These wines are likely to have plenty of fruit flavours still and, for red wines, the tannins may well be quite noticeable. For those who prefer younger, fruitier wines, or if serving alongside a robust meal, these will be very enjoyable. If you choose to hold onto these wines, the fruit flavours will evolve into more savoury complexity.
Ready - at best
These wines are likely to have a beautiful balance of fruit, spice and savoury flavours. The acidity and tannins will have softened somewhat, and the wines will show plenty of complexity. For many, this is seen as the ideal time to drink and enjoy these wines. If you choose to hold onto these wines, they will become more savoury but not necessarily more complex.
Ready - mature
These wines are likely to have plenty of complexity, but the fruit flavours will have been almost completely replaced by savoury and spice notes. These wines may have a beautiful texture at this stage of maturity. There is lots to enjoy when drinking wines at this stage. Most of these wines will hold in this window for a few years, though at the very end of this drinking window, wines start to lose complexity and decline.
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Description
Something that sprung to mind immediately with this wine was sweet maple pecan pastries; the nose is so bright, showcasing red apple, orange and honey. The palate is dry, full-bodied, and well-rounded. In this cooler vintage, its undeniable appeal lies in its refreshing acidity and the distinctive tension of its phenolics. Delicious!
Joshua Friend, Senior Account Manager, Berry Bros. & Rudd
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