Benoit Courault Gilbourg 2019

Benoit Courault made this natural white from Chenin Blanc in the Loire Valley, bottled as Vin de France. Courault learned from established natural growers before starting his own project on around 5 hectares of old vines, which he farms organically with minimal intervention. Chenin here sits on schist and chalk influenced soils that give the grape its firm acid line and a distinct chalky minerality, while old vines carry small, concentrated crops. The 2019 spent 12 months in used French oak barrels, so the oak works as a neutral, breathing vessel, adding slow oxygen exchange and a rounded texture rather than woodspice. Time on the lees builds a soft weight, and a few years in bottle bring the honeyed, waxy development that mature Chenin is known for. The colour is deep gold. The nose is ripe white peach and pear with green apple, chamomile and a honeyed, beeswax edge, and the palate is dry and textured, fresh at its centre with a chalky grip and a long, gently honeyed finish. Serve at 11 to 12 degrees in a white wine glass.