Domaine des Baumard ”Carte d’Or” Coteaux du Layon AOC 2021 (375mL)

Domaine des Baumard’s owner had its family been planting vines since 1634. The property was handed to the proprietor Florent Baumard from his grandmother’s side. The domaine owns some most prestigeous vineyards around Anjou, including 6 hectares within Quarts de Chaume AOC (the only Grand Cru in Loire) and 15 hectares in Savennières AOC.

Coteaux du Layon AOC got its name from the Loire tributary, Layon river. The appellation covers the area being the most important sweet wine production region in Loire. It engulfs other three more reputable sweet wine AOC, Bonnezeaux, Chaume, and Quarts de Chaume. In comparison, Coteau du Layon wines are usually milder, and more affordable.  The area grows almost all Chenin Blanc for white wines.

The wine of Cart d’Or

Domaine des Baumard’s vineyard has its Chenin Blanc vines average age around 35 years old. Being relatively old means the fruits have lower yield, but commonly more concentrated sugar and flavour. And local soil is composed by highly eroded Schist alongside with river deposit.

For the particulare Carte d’Or Coteaux du Layon wine. The fruits had been pressed with pneumatic pressing to slowly and gently extract its juice. And fermentation starts in temperature controlled stainless steel tank. The entire process of fermentation happens in low temperature, which minimizes any loss of Chenin Blanc’s incredible aroma. Fermentation is halted by cooling when the sugar level drops to around 90g/L, then the wine is aged on fine lee for 8 months. The ageing doesn’t involve any wooden vessel, all under temperature control.

The wine has a delicious and fresh lemon, grapefruit, green apple and gooseberry aroma. The fruitiness is also accompanied by some floral notes. The sweetness is balanced by mouth-watering acidity. The wine finishes on the palate like baked apple.