One sniff and sip of Janvier's Cuvee du Silex, and you'll feel that presence of producer, place, and grape in its prime form. Goodness gracious, that's some exquisite dry Chenin! If you've never heard of Jasnieres, we get it, it's a tiny appellation in the northern-most part of the Loire Valley, and Pascal Janvier is the qualitative leader of the AOC.
The '23 is a total brain teaser -- it's unctuous and rich on the nose and palate, but it's equally dry and laser-focused. When you smell this, you might think it's going to be sweet, but it's most certainly DRY. This is Chenin of the highest quality and caliber, and I hope you appreciate it as much as I do.
2023 Pascal Janvier Jasnieres 'Cuvee du Silex': Why should you buy it?
- Chenin Lovers know that some of the best dry Chenin Blanc comes from Jasnieres. The silex soils, which are composed of rocky, flinty material, provide us with one of the most unique expressions of Chenin in the world.
- It's rare. There are only 100 hectares in the entire Jasnieres AOC, and in a good year, 200 cases of this wine will make it to the United States. Rarity does not always equate to greatness, but it does here.
- There's an incredible balance of honeyed lushness, exotic fruit, and chiseled minerality. Bursting with notes of melon, guava, citrus zest, orange marmalade, and smoky and flinty minerality, this is full-bodied yet racy and mouthwatering.
- This is one to pour into a big glass, not too cold, and enjoy over the course of an evening. If you want food to be part of the festivities, dry Chenin Blancs like this are incredibly versatile. Seafood, poultry, creamy cheeses, you make the call!
What an inspiring white wine brought to us by importer Kermit Lynch. We wish we had more to offer, but we bought every bottle our distributor had available. For white wine adventurers, this is a must-try!
