It's always a treat to have wines arrive from our man in Faye d'Anjou: Philippe Delmee. Among them, the exciting return of his brilliantly live & direct Chenin: 'Ch'nins En Boit' (after what must be at least a three-year gap) and a super-juicy 2020 Ca Faye Douze.
Philippe farms a total of six hectares spread across 16 small parcels between Faye d'Anjou and Faveraye-Mâchelles, over porous-sand, lots of schist, and a little clay. Working organically, with biodynamic principles, Philippe is stoic & upbeat recalling the trials and tribulations the area has faced in recent vintages:
"It's the farming game! 2020 was very, very hot, but I was still able to get freshness in the wines. Then in 2021 we had very low yields thanks to frost, and mildew. There was so much water that the maturity was lower- but the wines are very direct, I'm really pleased with them. It's always a balance and a battle, but I can usually end up with something I'm proud of!"
After a good handful of tricky vintages, last year proved a bit easier for Philippe - ever the optimist regardless - he's still pleased to have had to battle less:
"2022 was a little blessing though, big yields, we got very lucky with the weather, nice maturity but then bags of water just before harvest to hydrate everything. See: sometimes I get lucky! It will be a good vintage."
From 2020 and 2021, we're pleased to have the following wines available:
Now Available:
2020 - Ça faye douze - Cab Franc
A whole-bunch maceration of Cab Franc for 10-days, aged for 6 months in fibreglass tank before being bottled with no additions. A juicy vintage for Cab-Franc, attention to detail knowing when to pick has kept this bright and easy.
2021 - Pablo est au bar - Chenin Blanc
Direct-press Chenin from his younger parcel, a little more clay over the schist here. Pressed slowly, fermented in fibreglass, bottled after 6 months.
2021 - Les Chn'ins on boit et la Caravane passe - Chenin Blanc
It's back! Despite the battle, '21 ended up being a brilliant vintage for Chenin, and this is in such a good place. Surrounded by forest, with very little topsoil, just a little sand, and lots of schist on the surface, Philippe likes to joke that these parcels of his older vines are 'the most beautiful terroir in Anjou' but he's probably not far wrong.
Pressed slowly, fermented and aged in large foudre and smaller barrels for 12 months. Bottled with no additions.