Brendan Stater West, Saumur Blanc, Brézé, Anjou-Saumur, Loire, France, 2021

Producer Profile

Originally, from Oregon in the US, Brendan was not born into a winemaking family, just a family that “loves and drinks wine every day” and never thought that he would end up working in the industry.

However, on arrival in France to teach English in 2007 he caught the wine bug and has not looked back since. Beginning his new career by joining the team at Domaine Guiberteau, Brendan still works there today and at the beginning of 2015, Romain proposed that Brendan could lease a 1ha plot of young Chenin vines in Bizay, next to the Clos de Guichaux, to begin producing his own wines. This first vintage was bottled at the end of March 2017, having spent 12 months in neutral oak barrels (225L, 300L and 400L), followed by 6 months in stainless steel tank. Brendan seeks the same purity and precision in his wines as Domaine Guiberteau, with a ‘transparent’ reflection of the specific terroir. This estate follows environmentally conscientious philosophies, with discipline and rigour aimed at a low-interventionist approach.

Viticulture

The vineyard at L’Ardillon, Brézé is a single south/southwest-facing plot where the soils are 80 cm deep clay-loam topsoil over Turonian limestone, the perfect site for quality Chenin. The vines, planted in the 1960's are farmed sustainably and organically.

Winemaking

Sorted at a sorting table directly in the vineyard, the whole clusters are fermented naturally in stainless steel and then aged in used, large format barrels. Racked and aged for an additional 6 months in steel tanks.

Tasting Note

A rich wine, with grapefruit interwoven with clove and mineral notes, finishing with a hint of creaminess and some texture on the finish.

Food Matching

This wine's fresh, fruity character makes it a great aperitif, while its refreshing acidity and body work well well with oysters, pork as well as grilled vegetables.