Founded in 1920 by Louis and Maria Juby, the great-grandparents of the current owners, Domaine Patrick Baudouin is an Angers estate of 13 hectares. The land here is made up of volcanic layers, schist and sandstone, in which the vines are grown organically. Biodiversity is encouraged, with trees grown on the same land. This domain considers its wine a ‘cultural creation’, with different appellations taking their turn in the spotlight: Savennières, Quarts-de-Chaume, Anjou (dry, demi-sec, and red), and Coteaux-du-Layon, with most of the cuvées coming from their own specific parcel. A pioneer in the production of dry Anjou, this estate is a strong advocate for the region’s terroirs. In its white, red, and dessert forms, this wine represents some of the finest that Anjou has to offer.

Maria Juby is the great-grandmother of Patrick Baudouin, and the domain’s co-founder. The current owner wished to pay homage to her by crafting this cuvée of botrytised Chenin harvested in several sorting sessions. The vines are grown organically in soil that is rich in schist and volcanic earth. In the winery, the producer opted for little intervention when vinifying the grapes. Thus, the wine is not chaptalized, and no yeast is added. The grapes undergo a very slow pressing, and the wine is then clarified naturally before fermenting in used casks. It is matured in casks then in vats before bottling. The result is a wine with striking balance. The palate brings a wine at once rich with honey notes and tense with masterful acidity. This cuvée is made to be aged and will pair nicely with spicy dishes and roasted meat with fruit. Note that this is a rare bottle…