Always a welcome arrival, we've received our first 2022 wines from Christophe & Antoine Daviau at Domaine de Bablut, alongside some heavy hitters from back-vintages.
2022 was a tricky year in Anjou, a vintage more or less saved by mid-August thunderstorms:
"2022 year had been very chaotic in terms of climate, which has generated a lot of stress. It was a very, very dry year. Until mid-August, our weather station showed a rainfall of just 160.5 mm since January 1st! Varieties that are better suited to hydric stress fared okay, but our Cab Franc really suffered. That said, we are really happy with the juice we were able to get, it may yet be one of the great vintages we remember. We've been very pleased with the wines."
From 2022 we have a juicy, generous rosé cut through with a welcome snap of acidity, and the latest edition of Topette - a darker fruited Grolleau this year, very happy with a chill to lift those delicate aromatics: it remains one of our most beloved thirst-quenchers.
For the first time in a number of years, we've also got our hands on a little of their Petit Princé - beautifully delicate, elegant Chenin Blanc grown over green & pink schist with veins of quartz, high on a plateau. The 2018 is profoundly mineral and layered, it's among our favourite Chenin of the region.
AVAILABLE NOW
SPARKLING
NEW NV - Crémant de Loire - Chenin, Chardonnay, Grolleau, Cab. Franc
WHITE
NEW 2021 - Sauvignon Blanc - Sauvignon Blanc
NEW 2018 - Petit Prince - Chenin
ROSE
NEW 2022 - Rose - Grolleau, Cab Franc
RED
NEW 2022 - Topette à Lundi - Grolleau
SWEET
NEW 2010 - Grandpierre - Chenin
To say that the Daviau's are an old Angevin family is a bit of an understatement.
With an ancestry of owning vines in the area going back to 1546, there's a fair bit of history here.
Christophe is an enthusiastic obsessive about the variation in soil across the Domaine. To stand in the vines with him is to gain a keen understanding of the geological riches of Brissac Quince, around the river Aubance. Varieties are planted across a rainbow-patchwork of coloured schists, sandstone, and clay-limestone, with a profound knowledge of which varieties are best suited to which soil type.
Committed to organic farming since 1996, Christophe began with biodynamic practices shortly after. With 20 years of biodynamic agriculture under the belt, Antoine persuaded Christophe to finally become Demeter certified, in 2021.
It's a true privilege to work with growers with as in-depth a knowledge of their region's terroir and traditions as the Daviau family. We count ourselves very lucky to be able to share their wines with you.
