Born and bred in Santa Barbara, Justin Willett is one of California's great young and visionary vignerons. He makes gorgeous Pinots and Chards at both Tyler and Racines wineries, but at Lieu-Dit, he explores his passion for classic Loire Valley varieties.
I was suspect when these were first presented to me some 5 years ago, but after many bottles spanning several vintages, I'm fully on board with Lieu-Dit these days. Justin's Chenin is masterful, and I think it's the #1 white wine value being produced in the USA currently.
Bold statement for sure, but if you love delicious, interesting, and textural white wines, I think you'll agree that this is a ton of wine for the money. Not a whole lot is made, but we've got 60 bottles up for grabs at deal pricing.
2023 Lieu-Dit Chenin Blanc
91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 93 points Yours Truly
On Deal: $19.99/bottle and 20% off by the bottle -- no further discounts.
Regular Price: $24.99/bottle
Like me, Justin Willett loves Loire Valley wines. From steely Sancerre to chalky Chinon, he admires the way that Loire Valley wines showcase grape and place in full form. One sniff and sip of his '23 Lieu-Dit Chenin Blanc, and it becomes very clear that this guy not only loves Chenin, he also knows how to make a damn fine one.,
Coming from the Happy Canyon Vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley, the sandy and rocky soils of this prized site are ideal for Chenin. They drain well, stress the vines, and add a mineralic edge that I don't often find in Central Coast whites. They also yield grapes with big flavor and complexity, and that quality of place and grape are fully present in this one.
Fermented and with native yeasts in a mixture of tank and neutral oak, this is quite rich and deeply textured on the palate. Despite its full-bodied style, it's fresh and focused on the palate, presenting wonderful notes of ripe apple, preserved lemon, wet rock, honey, and herbal oils. It's very varietally-correct, and I can't say I've ever had a Chenin outside of the Loire that tastes so Loire-like...
Need another opinion? Here's what Robert Parker's Wine Advocate had to say, and I think their tasting notes are spot-on. "The 2023 Chenin Blanc clearly displays the radiant, focused nature of the vintage, leading with an incisive nose of lemon curd and crushed stones bolstered by exotic, waxy and floral accents. The palate is similarly spry and tensile yet displays a lovely creamy breadth that supports the bright, airy finish."
If you want a stimulating and thought-provoking white, get some of this. Enjoy it in a big glass, not too cold, with some creamy goat cheese smeared on a crusty baguette, especially if you like to experience joy.
