2023 Chteau Yvonne Saumur-Champigny “La Folie”, Loire Valley, France

ABOUT THIS WINE

La Folie, aka “The crazy one”, comes from over ten different parcels located in the commune of Champigny (one of which is called La Folie). Mathieu acquired these vines in 2007, the same year that he took over Chateau Yvonne. And Indeed it was quite crazy year to manage the new domaine along with an additional 4 hectares. Over time, Mathieu has mastered this wine, and it has now outgrown the “little brother” status of the Yvonne Rouge to become a magestic wine in its own right. Perhaps even more than the Yvonne Rouge, La Folie greatly benefits for a few years in bottle to round out the striking tannis from the colder terroir of Champigny.

Hand harvested. Native yeast fermentation in 50 hl concrete vats for 4 weeks. 12 months in half 38 hl foudre and half in 4-5 year old barriques. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Located in Parnay, Chteau Yvonne has been surrounded by vineyards since the middle ages, when the monks at the Abbaye de Fontevraud brought their influence to the region. The Chteau dates to the 16th century, but not much is known until 1813, when a local winemaker moved in and began producing wine on site. In 1997, Yvonne et Jean-Franois Lamunire decided to recreate the abandoned vineyard with the help of Franoise Foucault. In 2007, Mathieu Valle took over, and decided to keep the name Chteau Yvonne in hommage to the incredible work done by the previous owners. Today, the domaine is one of the best producers in Saumur, composed of 3 hectares of Chenin Blanc and 8 hectares of Cabernet Franc, farmed organic since 1997 and biodynamic since 2012.