2020 Thibaud Boudignon Anjou Blanc a Francois(e)…

Based in Savennieres, Thibaud Boudignon is one of the new young stars of the Loire Valley. In addition to his prime plots in Savennieres, Thibaud also owns two small vineyards across the river on the south side of the Loire in the Anjou. Thibaud has worked with Philippe Charlopin in Gevrey Chambertin, Chateau Lafite Rothschild in Bordeaux (amongst others) and also in Australia before settling in the Loire, thereby building up a wealth of experience without having been born into a wine producing family. Working organically in the vineyards he harvests by hand making successive tries throughout each vineyard ending with yields that are much lower than the appellation rules allow. In the winery the grapes are whole bunch pressed with no settling and the juice is kept cold before starting a long slow fermentation. He vinifies with natural yeasts and ages the wines on lees with minimal SO2 in a mixture of barrels ranging from 300-600 litres.

Named in honour of his mother Françoise, who passed away when Thibaud was 17, and his father François, Anjou Blanc a Francois(e)… is an electric and powerful expression of Chenin Blanc. Hailing from the same vineyard in St-Lambert-du-Lattay as his regular Anjou Blanc, this however sees fermentation in wood including some 300L cigares, used to build lees complexity. Maturation then occurs in these cigares along with 700L demi-muids (30% new) for 15–18 months.

Other Reviews....
The 2020 Anjou Blanc à Francois(e) has the purity of mountain air. Hailing from a single parcel named Les Gats, it is a mid-weight style that's not about aromatic appeal but texture. From a clay-based vineyard, this is one of the more weighty, rounded styles that Boudignon produces with a structured frame that clamps the mouth and acidity that pierces the wine's core like an arrow. There's no malo at this estate which somewhat explains its character. Drink 2022-2037.
91 points
Rebecca Gibb MW - Vinous