FRANÇOIS CHIDAINE “Les Bournais” Chenin Blanc 2015

(Montlouis, Loire Valley, France) $34

Richness in wine often comes with a sigh of heaviness (witness so many chardonnays). But this beautiful Montlouis (mon-loo-EE) from the Loire Valley is just the opposite. Although it has a texture that’s as lush as lanolin, the wine’s flavors are electrically charged–a spring loaded combination of roasted nuts, green apples, lemons, spices, and something wonderfully saline and chalky. Like its sister Vouvray, Montlouis is made from chenin blanc grapes. Dry, racy, taut, and opulent all at the same time, this François Chidaine is the product of a single biodynamic vineyard lying on top of a bench of ancient limestone. (13% abv)

92 points KM

Available at K&L Wines