Le Sot de l’Ange 'Sec Symbole' Vin de France Blanc 2021

Quentin Bourse is a man possessed. Although his label, Le Sot de L’Ange, translates to “The Idiot Angel”, his intense drive, fanatical attention to detail, and grueling work ethic - and the showstopping wines that are the result - tell a different story! Quentin’s 12 hectare estate in Azay-Le-Rideau has been certified biodynamic for over a decade (a rarity for the region). He does all his vineyard work by hand, and is impossibly meticulous in the cellar as well, which he currently shares with Pascal Pibaleau, a neighboring old-school producer. All grapes go through sorting four times, before whole-cluster fermentation with native yeasts occurs in tank. Minimal sulfur is added to white wines, and none at all to reds. Starting in 2020, Quentin decided to source his fruit for ‘Sec Symbole’ from Fred Garraboue’s Bio certified vineyard in Limoux AOC, as he was no longer getting sufficient harvests from his own vineyard in Azay. This 100% chenin blanc comes from Fred’s 20 year old vines, and is fermented and aged in stainless steel. It bursts with racy energy, tension, and robust minerality, with layers of flinty pear skin, fleshy apricot, and hints of bitter green almond and marshmallow root. Certified organic, certified biodynamic, low-intervention/natural wine.