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

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.