Anjou blanc Le Cornillard 2020 Domaine Patrick Baudoin

The Anjou Blanc Le Cornillard 2020 from Domaine Patrick Baudouin is a powerful and refined cuvée, emblematic of the potential of dry Chenin on slate terroirs. A haute couture Chenin that unfolds subtly in the glass. At a time when dry Anjou blanc still seeks international recognition, Patrick Baudouin has spent more than twenty years proving that Chenin on the slate of Layon can achieve a depth, tension and complexity that stands proudly alongside the great dry whites of France. A serious Loire wine built for the cellar, from a parcel of less than a hectare worked with horse and care for decades.

Terroir and the vineyard

Le Cornillard comes from a slate hillside that slopes towards the Layon, with full southern exposure. A parcel that demonstrates the potential of the Layon terroirs for great dry whites. On 0.8 hectares of south-east facing slope descending towards the Layon, the vigneron tends old Chenin vines according to organic principles, working the land with a horse. The vines are between 50 and 70 years old, their roots reaching deep into the Armorican schists, naturally producing very low yields that concentrate the aromatic expression and richness of Chenin with an intensity and precision that makes this lieu-dit a confidential reference within the Anjou appellation. Vinification relies on slow fermentation in Burgundy-style barrels of 3 and 4 wines. Complete alcoholic and malolactic fermentations. Ageing in Burgundy barrels on fine lees from October harvest until two months before bottling, then further ageing in tank. Vinification is natural and spontaneous with indigenous yeasts, without added sulphur.

Tasting profile

Pale golden yellow robe, clear and bright, with subtle golden hints, announcing a certain maturity and richness while retaining attractive freshness. First, pleasant pastry notes of frangipane and brioche. Quickly, the varietal and mineral character emerge in the glass: quince, camphor, mirabelle and acacia honey. On the nose, white flower and yellow fruit aromas mingle with mineral and citrus notes. The nose presents yellow fruit notes, the palate is both powerful and lively, with considerable substance—you sense the warmth of the vintage, refreshed on the finish by pleasant bitterness. The stony and austere character of the parcel appears as a persistent, structured mineral frame that combines with the aromatic complexity of ripe fruit. On the palate, dense matter moves through a melted, pear-like grain and immense persistence. The long, mineral finish brings considerable relief to the whole. This is a dry white both powerful and refined, built for cellaring up to 15 years.

The domaine

Created in 1920 by Louis and Maria Juby, great-grandparents of the current owner, Domaine Patrick Baudouin tends 13 hectares of vines cultivated on ancient Armorican volcanic rock, slate and sandstone, cared for through certified organic viticulture. The domaine favours working with horses and encourages the life of trees and soils. In the cellar, wine is conceived as a "cultural creation". The aim is to let terroir express itself so the enthusiast distinguishes the birthplace, is moved by its ageing potential and delights at table. Originally known for producing sweet wines, Patrick Baudouin reoriented part of his production towards great dry whites from 2001 onwards. His Anjou blancs like Le Cornillard are unanimously recognized as among the finest dry Chenins of the Loire.

Food pairing

Monkfish tail with saffron autumn broth is the ideal pairing suggested by the domaine itself. This Cornillard will also pair well with scallops in chive cream, veal rolls with wild mushrooms, creamed poultry with cèpes, roasted turbot with beurre blanc or risotto with white truffle. Served between 11 and 13°C, it will reveal all the power, mineral tension and complexity of a great dry Loire Chenin.