Clos de la Coulée de Serrant Savennières Chenin Blanc

A buddy brought out this bottle of 2010 Clos de la Coulée de Serrant to help toast a great achievement this past weekend. One can probably imagine my excitement as I’m a massive fan of these wines by Nicolas Joly. However, I feel compelled to admit that these wines are not for everyone. They vary wildly from one vintage to the next and there can often be quite a bit of bottle variation to boot. None of this has swayed me from my position; that these are amongst the most exciting, singular expressions of a place that I have ever experienced.

Popped and poured. The 2010 pours a deep golden color with medium+ viscosity and no signs of particles or gas. On the nose, the wine is redolent of white tree flowers, desiccated apples and apricots with orange marmalade, honey, lanolin, marzipan and light clove. On the palate, the wine is dry with borderline high acid that is somewhat masked by the equally high alcohol (15%). Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and remarkably rich with wooly, unctuous texture. The high alcohol only becomes apparent as the finish lingers but there is so many other more fascinating things for me than to get distracted by it. Is it oxidative or not? That’s an argument that other people can have. I’m content to simply appreciate these wines for what they are. You can drink these now but knowing how these react favorably to air, it’s probably best to open it well in advance and probably even better to decant. Otherwise, I would expect sound, well-stored examples to live through 2040.

Ridiculous. One glass should take an hour to ponder, swish, swirl, sip and discuss. Intense.

Rachet aromas in the glass, clearing with time. Honey and gamey with roaring acidity. From magnum.

Straw yellow sherry like oxidized. Still need to drink my first biodynamic wine that I really would like.

Wool, saffron, ginger, saffron... a study in Chenin

Decanted (through an aerator) for 20 minutes. Bright, deep gold in color. Nose of dried apple, concrete block, and hay. Full body. Firm, bright acidity. Palate of dried apple, sweet hay, wintergreen, butterscotch, and a host of other layers that weave in and out on the tongue. Long finish of all those previous flavors. Can something be both laser focused *and* wide-ranging? Nicolas Joly says, “Mais oui!”

First time caller/longtime listener - wow what an experience and what a divisive wine. But I love Chenin blanc, and I'm open to different styles. Joly's very natural style is definitely not for everyone. But I found it to be unique and complex. Aromas and flavors of dry apricots, yellow flowers/chamomille, toasted nuts and cheese. There's definitely a very savory quality to this wine and theres something Sherry like. The alcohol is even quite high which gives it even more of a Sherry quality. You have to be ready for this wine, and I finally was into taking the plunge. I think it was actually better to drink it on a random Saturday night with grilled chicken and summer vegetables than saving it for a special occasion when expectations might ruin the experience.

Deep -- and I do mean *deep* -- gold in the glass. Big nose of golden delicious apples, wet hay, and caramel corn. Voluptuous full body and medium plus acidity wrap up the multi-layered palate of baked apple, straw, dry caramel, and any number of other flavors depending on where it is in the pass through the mouth. Hearty. A meal in itself, but oh how it shines with scallops and risotto!

Awesome stuff.

Lanolin on first opening. Decanted for a day. Apricots, earth and honey on second day also lighter in color.