Savennières Summer must go on with one more FL!

…with one of the purest expressions of Chenin Blanc on the planet. This is the stuff of wine lore that you’ll brag to your grandchildren about as they sit, mouth agape with wide eyes.

So, open your mind and your palate to the electrifying, scintillating intensity of Chenin Blanc on steroids.

Whisper Savennières in a room full of somm-types and watch their ears perk up. Think of a hypothetical blend of crushed rocks and honeysuckle hand in hand. Or a great Meursault combining forces with a heady, hedonistic Viognier. Add all kinds of stone fruits, apples, and pears, and leave the skins on. These push the boundaries of refreshing deliciousness and weaken your knees with astronomical complexity. Sit down to sip and savor…

A staunch believer in Biodynamic farming, Domaine FL is a minuscule winery in Rochefort-sur-Loire that specializes in Savennières just like neighboring myths Joly, Closel, or Baumard, churning profound Chenin Blancs aligned with lunar cycles and the rhythm of terroir. This single vineyard boasts a bedrock of schist, giving the wine unmatched purity and intense florality.

Let’s tune in to Vinous for a recap of this relatively young superstar team: “This estate was created in 2007 through the fusion of two older estates, including that of Jo Pithon. The better-known one, though, was Château de Chamboureau in Savennières, which the current owners have converted to organic viticulture. The rather unusual name, FL, is an abbreviation of the family names of the current owner’s parents, Fournier-Longchamps. With 30 hectares of vineyards predominantly planted with Chenin Blanc, Philip Fournier and his son Julien have quickly become important players… with Kyriakos Kynigopoulos as consulting enologist.”

Kynigopoulos?! No, he’s not a Greek God. Though close. His long list of international clients is topped by Vega Sicilia and his specialty lies in making great Burgundy as evident in this striking white.

Say what again, 96 points and 35 bucks??! Sheeeesh!

Hope you left room in your lockers, this ain’t gonna last either.

96 Points – James Suckling

“Hold on to your hat! The nose of this extraordinary dry Chenin Blanc is right on the borderline between summer flowers and floral hone, and it pulls you inexorably into this extremely vibrant and mineral wine. Astonishing concentration for the barely medium-bodied palate, the minerality cascading over you as if you were standing directly beneath an Alpine waterfall. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”