Description
Sebastien Brunet, “La Folie” Vouvray DEMI SEC 2020
Sebastien Brunet represents the quiet revolution of the Loire Valley, crafting wines of startling purity and precision that defy the rustic stereotypes of the past. Taking over his family’s estate in 2006, Brunet has become a standard-bearer for the "new wave" of Vouvray, favoring organic viticulture and low-intervention winemaking that allow the distinct terroir of Chançay to shine. "La Folie," meaning "The Madness," is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the challenges of working this specific parcel, but the result is anything but chaotic. This Demi-Sec is a study in tension, offering a luscious sweetness that is immediately snapped into focus by Chenin Blanc's electric acidity. It is a wine of profound energy, capturing the sun-drenched generosity of the 2020 vintage while maintaining a crystalline backbone that ensures longevity and food-friendliness.
VARIETAL/BLEND INFORMATION: This cuvée is produced exclusively from 100% Chenin Blanc. The fruit is sourced from vines averaging 50 years of age, which provide naturally low yields and exceptional concentration of flavor.
VINTAGE & TERROIR: The 2020 vintage in the Loire Valley was defined by a warm, early growing season, resulting in fruit with significant ripeness and exotic character. Despite the heat, the region's cool nights helped preserve the essential acidity required for high-quality Vouvray. The grapes for "La Folie" come from vineyards situated along the Brenne river valley, rooted in "Perruches" soils—a mix of flinty clay on the surface with a deep subsoil of "tuffeau" limestone. This specific combination is critical to the wine's profile: the flint contributes a smoky, gunflint reduction and structure, while the limestone imparts a chalky salinity and finesse.
SENSORY DESCRIPTORS: In the glass, the wine pours a shimmering pale gold with hints of green at the rim, displaying moderate viscosity consistent with its sugar levels. The nose is highly expressive, bursting with aromas of quince paste, bruised yellow apple, and ripe white peach, complicated by nuances of wet wool, ginger spice, and a distinctive flinty minerality. On the palate, this is a medium-bodied wine that sits squarely in the "Demi-Sec" (medium-sweet) category, yet it drinks with the refreshing lift of an off-dry style due to its piercing acidity. Flavors of lemon curd, honeycomb, and candied pineapple wash across the tongue, balanced by a savory, saline undertone. The finish is long and persistent, leaving a sensation of beeswax and citrus zest that invites the next sip.
WINEMAKING & FARMING: Sebastien Brunet manages his 15 hectares with strict organic farming practices, having begun the conversion immediately upon taking over the estate. In the cellar, the approach is gentle and patient. The grapes are hand-harvested and undergo a slow, four-hour pneumatic pressing to extract the purest juice. Fermentation occurs spontaneously with indigenous yeasts in 225-liter oak barrels. The wine is then aged for 12 months in older barrels (none new) on its fine lees, a process that enriches the texture without masking the fruit with oak flavors. The wine is bottled with minimal sulfur.
FOOD PAIRINGS: The interplay of sugar and acid makes this wine a spectacular companion for American cuisine, particularly dishes with heat or rich fats. It pairs beautifully with Nashville hot chicken; the wine's residual sugar cools the chili spice while the acidity cuts through the fried batter and schmaltz. Alternatively, try this with a double-cut pork chop topped with a spiced apple and onion compote. The Chenin's apple notes mirror the garnish, and its weight stands up to the density of the pork. It would also be a sophisticated match for a classic lobster roll with drawn butter.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.