Marie Lise & Thomas Batardiere L'Esprit Libre Chenin Blanc 2024
Marie Lise & Thomas Batardiere L'Esprit Libre Chenin Blanc 2024
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Marie Lise & Thomas Batardiere L'Esprit Libre Chenin Blanc 2024

Marie Lise & Thomas Batardiere
$48.00

Grape: Chenin Blanc
Vintage: 2024
Type: White

Sourced from biodynamically farmed vineyards in Rablay-sur-Layon in the Anjou region of the Loire Valley, this single-varietal bottling reflects Thomas Batardière's minimalist, low-intervention approach. Grown in shallow, sand-and-silt soils over schist bedrock, the hand-picked grapes are pressed gently in a basket press before undergoing spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts in neutral vessels. The wine ages on its fine lees in old oak barrels and stainless steel, undergoing no filtration, fining, or sulfur additions prior to bottling. The result is a vibrant, precise, and completely raw expression of Loire chenin blanc that emphasizes energetic lightness and soil clarity.

A pale, hazy yellow-straw color in the glass leads into high-toned aromas of bruised green apple, quince, white blossom, and crushed schist. The palate is dry, crisp, and linear, offering crunchy flavors of tart pear, salt-cured lemon, lemon verbena, and raw almond. A persistent, driving line of natural acidity cuts cleanly through the wine's light, textured mid-palate, giving the mouthfeel an electric, lip-smacking energy. It concludes on a long, refreshing finish defined by lingering notes of citrus pith, chalky stone, and a touch of wild honey.

Winery

Marie-Lise and Thomas Batardière work a small domaine in Rablay-sur-Layon, in Anjou. Thomas first studied anthropology and cinema before turning toward wine, training with Mathieu Vallée at Château Yvonne and studying viticulture in Beaune. In 2012 he acquired old Chenin Blanc vines and began building his own project. The vineyards include clay-rich soils with blue schist, stone and quartz, while the Montbenault parcel adds a different geological setting. Chenin dominates the holdings, alongside smaller amounts of Grolleau and Cabernet Franc.

Biodynamic farming has guided the work from the start, with Demeter certification obtained in 2015. The cellar approach is based on the idea of revealing the place rather than creating a house style through manipulation. L’Esprit Libre provides an accessible view of the Chenin work, while individual parcels offer more focused expressions. The wines draw their identity from the combination of old vines, careful agriculture and the varied ground around Rablay and Faye d’Anjou, giving the couple a distinctive place among Anjou’s small grower-led domaines.