2021 Garo'Vin Lunatic

WINEMAKER: Cédric Garreau
REGION: Loire Valley, FR
VARIETY: Chenin Blanc
VITICULTURE: Certified Organic

100% Chenin blanc from one parcel, 35-year-old vines on pink schist soils. Direct pressed, elevage in barrel for 10 months. Inviting, initially richer in style, the fruit is generous and broad. As it opens its hallmark schist soils come to play, the minerality focused, the fruit pure. Citrus blossom, grapefruit pith, green apples. A wisp of oak, the acidity glides through. Harmonious and youthful.

A micro vigneron who flies under the radar, he works alone and makes some of the most beautiful and uplifting wines in the Loire. Cedric grew up in Loire, his father working for some of the bigger cellars of the region. In 2006 he undertook a two year viticulture course, followed by time travelling, as far south as New Zealand where he undertook agriculture work. He returned home and established Garo’Vin in 2010.

All farming is organic viticulture, now certified, the vines range from 6 years through to 90 years of age. The soils are composed of pink / purple and black schiste and shale, as is the hallmark of the Anjou terroir. This isn’t a cellar filled with fancy equipment, he purchases second hand traditional equipment from his neighbours as they upgrade. His work in the cellar is precise, and he ceased sulphur use completely in 2017, where previously he had added it at bottling stage for the reds only.