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Domaine des Baumard - Clos de Sainte Catherine 2006
Estate
Domaine des Baumard is situated right in the heart of the Anjou, in the town of Rochefore-Sur-Loire, just south of the town of Savennieres itself. The property has been in the Baumard family since 1634, but it was reconstituted and improved by Jean Baumard in the mid-1950s. Since 1992 the estate has been run with meticulous care by Jean's son, Florent, and the Domaine is now regarded as one of the greatest producers in the Loire Valley and one of the greatest producers of white wine in the world.
Vineyard
Savennieres is a tiny region located on the northern banks of the Loire River, just across from the town of Rochefort Sur Loire. The entire appellation consists of fewer than 200 acres of vines, all planted to Chenin Blanc. The South/Southeast facing vineyards are planted on unique soils composed of schistous volcanic debris mixed with sandstone and granite, imparting a strong, intensely original minerality to the Chenin Blanc grape. The combination of this concentration with the natrually high acidity of the Chenin Blanc grape results in wines capable of lasting and improving for decades. Bamard's regular Savennieres bottling comes from their 6-hectare Clos Sainte Yves vineyard between the Clos du Papillon and Roche aux Moines. The vineyard's soil profile is of shale, sand and sandstone.
Vinification
The butterfly shape of the vineyard gives "Clos de Papillon" its name. The soils are made of schist sand and sandstone over rhyolite. The vines are 35 years old. Haarvest is performed manually, in successive passages through the vineyard.
Wine
Domaine des Baumard produces some of the finest examples of Savennieres, and Jean Baumard and now his son, Florent, are universally regarded as the finest wine-makers in the appellation.. Their wines are among the most unique and rewarding in the world: honeyed, dry whites of unmatched concentration, perfume, and longevity.
