For the first time in too long, we have received wines from David Foubert of La Folle Berthe in Saumur Puy-Notre-Dame.

For those new to the wines of La Folle Berthe, David was formerly a Parisian journalist, before moving to Saumur for a life change and to study winemaking. Under the eye of Aymeric Hillaire and Melanie Hunin at Domaine Melaric, David's first vintage in 2014 was made in their cellar.

He is part of our triumvirate of growers in Saumur (Melaric, L'Austral, Folle Berthe) working with beautiful parcels that used to belong to the biodynamic godfather of Le Puy-Notre-Dame: Philippe Gourdon.

Now with a cellar of his own: a lovingly restored cave cut into the same Tuffeau that gives the areas wines their signature minerality, David works slowly and delicately, maintaining the biodynamic agriculture in the vineyards, and a deft hand in the cellar. Grapes are pressed gently, and wines are raised in barrel for long periods, with yet more time in bottle before release.

It's always a treat to have his wines available: we have the following ready for release:

Now Available

SPARKLING

NEW 2020 - Folle Bulles - Pineau d'Aunis
David's Pet Nat, once Chenin Blanc, Folle Bulles is now direct-pressed Pineau d'Aunis, a warmer 2020 yielding hazy pink juice and bright fruit.

WHITE

NEW 2017 - Les Fontenelles - Chenin
David has been working in the Fontenelles parcel since 2015, 30 year old Chenin vines, pressed slowly, fermentation and ageing in 5 year old barriques for 24 months,a nd a further 12 months in tank. This parcel on flint yields a softer, generous expression of Chenin.
RED

NEW 2019 - P'tite Berthe - Pineau d'Aunis
From more northerly vineyards, a whole-bunch maceration over 10 days in fibreglass tank, pressed slowly and aged for 6 months in tank.

2015 - Grande Berthe - Cab Franc
Aged 20 months in barrel and 4 months in tank, and aged in bottle for a further 5 years. Elegant, fine-boned Cab Franc.