2018 Brendan Stater-West "Breze" Saumur Blanc

From: Loire Valley, France Varietal: Chenin Blanc Tasting Notes: 2018 marks the first release of this wine, which is loaded with flavors of juicy green apples, wet stones, pear skin, and limestone. We love the following note from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (92 points). "The golden-yellow 2018 Saumur Blanc Brézé is sourced from old vines planted in the 1960s in L'Ardillon a single south/southwest-facing parcel in the commune of Brézé. The topsoil (about 80 centimeters deep) is a mix of clay and loam topping Turonian limestone. Fermented in stainless steel for three weeks and aged on fine lees for 12 months in barrel (one to three years old) then a further six months in stainless steel the 2018 opens with deep clear intense and chalky Chenin fruit with some flinty and even fresh crushed black pepper aromas. Full-bodied and rich yet elegant and fresh on the vibrantly mineral palate with clove and grapefruit flavors, this is a mouth-filling intense slightly creamy-textured Chenin Blanc