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La Nouette, Domaine 7 2022
Domaine 7
Abel Benmaamar looks after 4 hectares of vines in the commune of Martigné-Briand. This is an area of Anjou in the loire valley famous for producing the greatest Chenin on earth, where the schist soils produce wines with a unique depth, smokiness and minerality.
A Pharmacutical engineer turned winemaker, Abel came into the wine world a little later than most. After completing his wine studies in Macon, he began working for Domaine Thillardon in Beaujolais and Patrick Corbineau in the Loire. He always loved Chenin and Cab Franc and in 2018 he got his chance to make wines from these grapes when he was able to take over some vines at Julien Delrieu’s Les Roches Sèches, which have been certified organic since 2010. Abel’s sites typically have old vines, produce low yields, are full of biodiversity, are are worked without chemicals which along with his meticulous approach in the winery, make this one of the most exciting new domaines in Anjou.
Chenin Blanc from a 1ha plot, planted in 2011. Abel says he spends half of his time in this vineyard as it requires a lot of work, despite it only representing a quarter of his vineyards. The soil in this parcel is clay and sandstone schist (schist gréseux), the type of soils you find in Bonnezeaux which have a thermal quality to them that boosts ripening more than say a limestone soil like those you might find in Saumur. A deep and complex Chenin with the classic smokey quince and toffee apple combined with a racy, mineral palette. This is richer than Abel's Guimardière and has had a 'kiss of new oak' which seems to work really well for this wine
Producer Domaine 7 of Abel Benmaamar
Origin Rablay-sur-Layon, Maine-et-Loire, Loire, France
Grapes Chenin blanc
Vintage 2022
Alcohol 13.5% ABV
Style Medium body white
Bottle size 750ml
Winemaking Manual harvest, gently pressed, fermented and aged in 15% New Oak, 25% Old Oak and 60% stainless steel, for about 10months before bottling, unfiltred, unfined and with low SO2.
Notes Natural, Organic, Biodynamic