Le Clos Galerne Anjou Blanc Chenin Blanc 2023

Cédric Bourez is the winemaker at Clos Galerne, an exciting and relatively new producer in Anjou. His background is working at Château d’Esclans in Provence, a rather different venture to this one. In 2018 Cedric and his wife Myrtille purchased a domaine in the village of Rochefort -sur-Loire, with some lovely old vine holdings facing the Layon river. He’s farmed organically since purchasing the domaine and was certified three years later. They began with 7 hectares and now have 12, with plots in Anjou Noir, Pierre Bise, Moulin Brûlé Beaulieu-sur-Layon, Savennières and Chaume. They vary in soil composition, with slate, volcanic soils, schists and sands. All of their whites are made in 400 litre barrels. 

Vinification is simple at Le Clos Galerne, fermentation occurs naturally in either stainless steel or large, old oak barrels. All wines go through malolactic conversion, with the Chenins aging sur lie. Balade en Chenin comes from 25-year-old vines and is a stainless-fermented cuvée of parcels in Pierre Brise and Beaulieu-sur-Layon.

After mastering Provençal Rosé, Cédric Bourez along with his family started the quest for an estate with character; one with a natural richness of terroir with a diverse soil profile. They fell in love with Anjou, their incredible old plots of Chenin Blanc blessed with the best orientations facing the Layon river. The vines are rooted in volcanic rock called “Spilite” giving the wines a deep soul and elegant nuances that unravel as you enjoy. Balade is his entry level Chenin, packed full of delicate white floral and nuanced orchard fruit notes. A bargain Anjou Blanc.

There are two reds as well, we tasted and loved the Gamay Anjou, which we also brought in and you can find on this site. 'Galerne' is the name of the local wind in the Anjou region.