We first met Thomas Batardiere in 2014, shortly after he released his first wines. A native of Angers, Thomas is not from a winemaking family, but he became fascinated with natural wines and pursued a career in wine after studying anthropology and filmmaking. After spending several years working with Mathieu Vallée at Château Yvonne (Saumur), Thomas started his own project in 2012, with 2 hectares of vines, and a shack on the side of the road in Rablay-sur-Layon. Mostly working with Chenin Blanc, Thomas slowly added to his holdings, planting some vines while learning about different sites in the area from fellow winemakers, including his neighbor Richard Leroy. His partner, Marie-Lise helps out with many of the responsibilities at the winery, and the two are some of the sweetest people you'll meet in the Loire (which is saying something!). We're happy to have their Chenin Blancs in the shop, all from the exquisite and balanced 2022 vintage, including a new wine called "Grand Clos," which is dry Chenin bottled only in Magnum, from the first harvest of a plantation in Rablay, "on an atypical terroir that is very eroded and isolated." The whites are the draw with the Batardieres, and clearly their focus, but the 100% Grolleau "Amor Fati," also on offer today, is bright and delightful in 2022, with less pronounced reduction than in previous years, ready to drink with a light chill!