Mark Angeli was a bricklayer by profession, before turning his sights to viticulture, gaining experience at Château La Tour Balance in Sauternes, where he saw the domain converted to biodynamics. He bought Ferme de la Sansonnière in 1989 and converted to organics and biodynamics right from his first vintage. Two grapes are cultivated, Chenin and Grolleau, a variety native to the Loire. These wines are produced with very little – or no – sulphur. A favourite of ours!

The Anjou terroir is particularly well suited to Chenin Blanc, the king of the region’s sweet wines. Coteau du Houet is a distinctive south-facing parcel where botrytis and natural berry concentration shape sweet wines of rare intensity. The vines grow on schist, puddingstone and aeolian sand. Manual harvests are carried out through successive selections. Fermentation is long and spontaneous. The wine is then aged for around 24 months in seasoned casks with no new oak. Bottling takes place without fining or filtration.
The intense golden hue shows amber glints and promises an expressive bouquet. The nose reveals remarkable aromatic intensity, with notes of candied fruit, honey, saffron, orange zest and beeswax. On the palate, this rich sweet wine is perfectly balanced by lively acidity and mineral tension. The long, complex finish moves between candied citrus and fine sweet spice.