2023 Belliviere 'Premices' Jasnières Coteaux du Loir Blanc

Prémices is Domaine de Bellivière's entry-level Chenin Blanc, a barrel selection of the most fruit-forward parcels from their Jasnières and Coteaux du Loir vineyards. The fruit comes from estate parcels with vines ranging from 10-50 years old, planted on flinty clay soils over tuffeau (soft limestone). Originally made from fruit in conversion to biodynamic farming, the wine now represents the most approachable expression as the entire estate is fully biodynamic. Fermented in old barrels using native yeasts, it typically finishes at a sec-tendre level of sweetness with integrated residual sugars that add complexity, though it can occasionally be fermented entirely dry. Starting in 2022, the wine is labeled as Coteaux du Loir to provide more flexibility in difficult vintages.