Brendan Stater West, Saumur Blanc, Anjou-Saumur, Loire, France, 2023

Producer Profile

Originally, from Oregon, Brendan Stater-West didn’t grow up in a winemaking family—just one that loved wine deeply.

Originally, from Oregon, Brendan Stater-West didn’t grow up in a winemaking family—just one that loved wine deeply. A move to France in 2007 to teach English unexpectedly ignited a passion that became a calling. He began working at the esteemed Domaine Guiberteau, where he still collaborates today, and in 2015 was offered the chance to lease a 1-hectare parcel of young Chenin Blanc in Bizay, neighboring the famed Clos de Guichaux. Brendan bottled his first vintage in 2017, crafting wines aged in neutral oak and stainless steel to preserve clarity and terroir expression. Inspired by Guiberteau’s precision and purity, his wines reflect a philosophy rooted in organic farming, minimal intervention, and disciplined winemaking—honest, transparent wines that speak clearly of place.

Viticulture

Sourced from a highly regarded vineyard parcel in Brézé, originally planted in the 1960s. These old vines, rooted in limestone-rich soils, yield fruit of remarkable concentration and mineral character. The vineyard is farmed with a thoughtful, low-intervention approach, preserving the site's unique expression and natural balance.

Winemaking

Fermentation is carried out in stainless steel to capture purity and precision. The wine is then aged for 12 months in seasoned oak barrels, adding texture without imposing oak influence. A further six months of aging in steel tanks refines and sharpens the wine’s profile. Malolactic fermentation is intentionally blocked to preserve the wine’s natural acidity and structure, resulting in a bright, linear style.

Tasting Note

This Chenin Blanc opens with a striking nose of flint and cracked white pepper, underpinned by a deep seam of crushed chalk. On the palate, it is both poised and energetic, revealing layers of ruby grapefruit, dried citrus peel, and clove, with a subtle creaminess woven through its mineral core. The acidity is sharp and purposeful, lending tension and clarity, while the finish lingers with spice and a saline edge. A wine of finesse and quiet power, with the potential to evolve beautifully over time.

Food Matching

Roasted monkfish with fennel and preserved lemon, comté aged 18+ months.