Delrieu-Ducleux 2022 Le Jeau Blanc

Le Jeau Blanc from Julien Delrieu and Thibaut Ducleux is Chenin Blanc from a hillside parcel close to Les Nourissons of Stephane Bernaudeau, planted in 1955 on schist soils. The wine ferments and ages in old barrels without SO2 addition. The 2022 opens with some apple and pear fruit, dried herbs and a whiff of petrol. After about 30 minutes more umami and savory notes start to come through, with a deep mineral vein that ties it together. The acidity is electric without being too sharp. It's taut but pleasurable, sleek but giving. This is a great example of Chenin on schist, with all the tension we've come to expect but open enough to enjoy now.