2021 Thibaud Boudignon Savennieres Clos de la Hutte

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.

Situated in the commune of La Possonnière, the Clos de la Hutte is an ancient religious site of 7 hectares, of which 2.6 are planted with vines. At the heart of this ancient monastery are vines produced from a massal selection of Chenin Blanc coming from the best domaines of the Loire. Vinification occurs in 50% oval demi muid, 25% in 320 liter cigars, and 25% in 500 liter barriques. The ageing lasts one year in wood and a minimum of 3 months in stainless steel.

Other Reviews....
Matured with 30% new oak, the 2021 Savennières Clos de la Hutte was made with grapes grown in clay topsoil with schists. It exhales a perfumed, precise bouquet with aromas of pineapple, lemon oil, spring flowers and spices. The full-bodied, seamless and layered, crystalline and pure, concentrated and mineral palate has a delicate core of fruit and a tense, saline finish. This pristine wine represents the essence of this great terroir. Drink 2023-2053.
97 points
Yohan Castaing - Wine Advocate (Jan 2024)

The 2021 Savennières Clos de la Hutte is never the most aromatic, but after a year in bottle, it is starting to reveal a little more of its true self—but only just. It remains a tight cloud of wine that blossoms in the mouth, seamless and round. It possesses excellent texture, substance and richness yet manages it in a not-heavy manner. Nectarine and tangerine fruit flavors linger on the textured finish, which holds the mouth with an assured clasp. This is still not yet ready to drink, but its quality is there to see. It just needs more time to come out from its hiding place; just be a little more patient, if you can. Drink 2025-2040.
95 points
Rebecca Gibb MW - Vinous