Domaine Bobinet Piak! Blanc 2022

Piak! Blanc is a Loire natural wine from Domaine Bobinet, the estate Emeline and Sebastien built after he inherited two hectares of old vines from his grandfather near Saumur. Working under the guidance of natural vigneron Olivier Cousin, they farm organically and make wines with minimal intervention. Unusually, this white is pressed from Cabernet Franc, a red grape, taking only the juice with little skin contact so the wine stays pale and delicate. The vines sit on the tuffeau limestone and clay soils of Saumur, cool chalky ground that drives high natural acidity and a stony minerality, while the cool Loire climate holds the alcohol down to a light 12 percent. Made without additions and with little or no oak, the wine keeps a raw, direct character. Expect a very pale colour, a nose of red currant, green apple and white peach with a rhubarb tang and a herbal note that hints at the grape, and a light, crisp palate closing on a saline, chalky finish. Serve well chilled at 8 to 10 degrees.