“Brézé” is not only the name of an important sub-zone of the Loire Valley’s Saumur AOC, it’s the name of a historic winemaking château that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built from the same limestone tuffeau that lends detail and mineral depth to the Chenin Blanc whites and Cabernet Franc reds of this region, the Château de Brézé is now one of two properties under the stewardship of Arnaud Lambert. Alongside his father, Yves, who founded Domaine Saint-Just in the nearby town of Saint Cyr en Bourg, Arnaud has converted the viticulture at both properties to organics and has united both properties’ wines under one label: Domaine Arnaud Lambert.

“Clos de Midi” is a prized 3.5-hectare parcel of Chenin Blanc planted in 1985, producing a wine of incredible depth and racy freshness. This is Loire Chenin Blanc in all its prismatic glory, with loads of concentrated quince/apple fruit mingling with palate-tingling chalky minerality. Lambert employs only ambient yeasts for fermentation, which is carried out in a 50%-50% mix of stainless steel tanks and used Burgundy barrels. It is aged 12 months before release, and is still in a youthful phase: If enjoying now, decant it about 30 minutes before serving in large all-purpose stems. An amazing white that will thrill now but also age 10+ years with ease!