Experience the Electrifying Rock Juice from the Sacred Vineyards and Rising Star (just 5 cas

A Best Kept Secret Is Shared. The Electrifying Rock Juice from the Sacred Vineyards Is Now a Pinnacle Expression and IWM's Best-Selling White in Three Decades. Unfortunately, There Is “Very Little of It To Go Around.” Just 5 Cases.

“In 2021 there is very little of it to go around … One of the most exciting up-and-coming producers in the Loire, Thibaud Boudignon already has a fervent following in America. A Bordeaux native, Boudignon began making his own wine in 2009 and now has seven hectares, farmed biodynamically, in Anjou and Savennières….” – Vinous

“His attention to detail in the winemaking process, precise viticulture, dedication and passion for the terroirs mark him as one of France’s foremost vignerons and winemakers today.” – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

As you know by now, we taste thousands of wines each year and today’s featured white is one that we want to quietly scream about, once again, as there are just 1,000 bottles produced.  It is in fact, the most inspiring collector white that we have had over the past three years, I can personally attest to enjoying it on twenty different occasions, and have been eagerly waiting to share the new release from this rising star producer and his handcrafted wines of purity and minerality. 

Well, the new release is arriving to New York one last time, and what might surprise you is that our most captivating white is not a Grand Cru Chardonnay from one of the Montrachets, let alone a cult Meursault with some ridiculous pricing. Rather, it is the under-the-radar Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley. If you have followed IWM over the past quarter of a century then you know that the Loire Valley is nothing new – we were inspired by the biodynamics wines of Nicholas Joly and his daughter, we fought for our miniscule cases of the highly allocated Sancerres of Vatan and Cotat and we were simply smitten by the cult wines of Didier Dagueneau and his son Louis-Benjamin. Well, today that Loire Valley legacy continues with the prized Chenin Blanc of Thibaud Boudignon. The Bordeaux native who trained at Lafite Rothschild in Pauillac, as well as Philipe Charlopin in Gevrey Chambertin, is one of the most exciting up-and-coming producers in the Loire Valley. He is delivering purity of place and varietal through his strict practices of organics and in the prized vineyards of Savennières. Wine critic Michael Bettane may have said it best in a recent tasting, “the three wines of Boudignon were the best dry chenins…we are at the level of 1er Cru and Grand Cru Burgundy.” 

We agree, as for the inspiring and even more electrifying 2021 Thibaud Boudignon Savennières Clos de la Hutte, this is a pinnacle expression of Chenin Blanc grown on solid schist from an abandoned historic site that was the former home of an abbey and a worthy follow-up to our legendary 2018. As for much of the sacred vineyards in Savennières, the monks were renowned for their ability to find the best plots for viticulture and this schist-laden terroir allows Thibaud to produce an explosively mineral and textured Chenin.  It is a wine that brilliantly expresses the perfect balance between texture and verve, and can appeal to our Terlano Vorberg fans, but also those that appreciate the bottled energy found in Chablis, Chavignol, Meursault, and the great GGs of Germany. The only issue with the wine is the production, there has not been enough to present an interesting offering – that is until today! 

We are pleased to share the rare gems of Thibaud Boudignon...including their best selling Rose.

FEATURED WINE: The Electrifying Whites of Thibaud Boudignon 

ADDITIONAL NOTES AND REVIEWS:

2021 Thibaud Boudignon Savennières Clos de la Hutte

"Situated in the commune of La Pososnniere, the Clos de la Hutte is an ancient, religious site, of which 2.6 hectares are planted with vines. At the heart of this ancient monastery are vines from a massal selection of Chenin Blanc coming from the best domaines of the Loire. Five different varieties of Chenin were planted together so as to best express the intensity and singularity of this special place."

Christopher Deas, Italian Wine Merchants: “If you follow IWM, you know it was the 2018, 2019, and 2020 Clos de la Hutte that was the most exciting white wine in three years of tasting at IWM. Never have I seen soo many people come back asking for more of a white wine - as a result this is one of the best selling white wines three decades at IWM. Well, in 2021 we have a repeat performance, expect that there is less to go around and the press his more aware of this little under-the-radar gem anointing the wine 97 points. This will unfortunately create additional demand for this limited production white, we cannot get enough of. For IWM it is simple, if you love rock juice or wines with freshness, clarity, and energy – this is it. And what makes this wine extra special is that yes, there is verve, but it is delivered with awesome texture, much like you would find in great Chablis or one of the great dry GGs of Germany. This is a white that needs to be opened an hour beforehand and can be enjoyed over three days, as the wine simply stuns and evolves in the glass. You will find nuances of pear, orange blossoms, bees wax, wet stone, crushed rocks, and salinity. The wine keeps you your toes as it has a clean, oily texture, but then there is awesome minerality, piercing mouthwatering salinity and succulence. Crisp, caressing and intense – it gets the taste glands salivating. Well in 2021, this is an even more steely expression – yeee-haw. Once again, my family loves this wine with sea scallops and lobsters from the Jersey shore! Quite literally, one of my favorite white wines on the planet!”

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: “Matured with 30% new oak, the 2021 Savennières Clos de la Hutte was made with grapes grown in clay topsoil with schists. It exhales a perfumed, precise bouquet with aromas of pineapple, lemon oil, spring flowers and spices. The full-bodied, seamless and layered, crystalline and pure, concentrated and mineral palate has a delicate core of fruit and a tense, saline finish. This pristine wine represents the essence of this great terroir. Thibaud Boudignon approaches each vintage with spectacular precision and dedication. Achieving good ripeness despite some difficult vintages in recent years and producing excellent wines, he offers wines of purity, tension and finesse with virtually no rivals in Savennières. Their depth and density reveal the fantastic terroirs of Clos de Frémine and Clos de la Hutte, located in La Possonière, a historic part of the appellation that has unfortunately seen some urban encroachment. Boudignon patiently waits for full grape maturity before harvesting and practices gentle, slow pressing during vinification. He ages all his wine in barrels or foudres from notable cooperages, such as Chassin, Gauthier Frères, Taransaud, Atelier Centre France and Rousseau. He performs meticulous work in the vineyard, planting only massal selections of Chenin Blanc and advocating for permanent cover cropping. His attention to detail in the winemaking process, precise viticulture, dedication and passion for the terroirs mark him as one of France’s foremost vignerons and winemakers today.”

Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous: "The 2021 Clos de la Hutte is a fabulous, laser-like wine with scintillating acidity. It is airy and calm in texture, providing a sense of tranquility and ease. Expect a fragrant style with florals, nectarine, citrus, pastry and a touch of flint. There's no doubting the acidity piercing this wine, particularly in this vintage. The delightful texture leaves you licking your lips and provides sinew and structure."

2023 Thibaud Boudignon Rose de Loire Valley

Christopher Deas, Italian Wine Merchants: “Our exciting, old-school Rose from the Loire returns with the new release from the 2023 vintage – and it is flipping DELIZIOSO. Dare we say that this is a Rose that can stand up to Bistecca alla Fiorentina and fun conversation with friends for Spring and Summer entertainment. We tried both and can emphatically say this is the perfect BISTRO ROSE. The explosive bouquet captivated the senses. On the palate this wine is bursting with a mouthful of expansive fruit, and you can expect loads of ripe strawberry, no, scratch that, fraise de bois is more fitting, as there is simply more concentration of flavor, and you can expect nuances of cherry, wild berries, blood orange, with a touch of herbs and salinity that quietly stains the mid-palate. There is concentration and depth, even slightly chewy, yet it is refreshing with great density in this more balanced vintage. I would like to thank our good friend Theresa for introducing us to this “BISTRO ROSE” to us during the pandemic, as it is a new staple for us. Unfortunately, we used to receive a sizeable allocation, but now the restaurants are bustling and taking the little that arrives into the US. We say Carpe Diem.”

This is an email ONLY offer! Should you have any questions on these exciting wines, or would like to take advantage of this offer (that is only available until 11:59pm, Friday, April 26th), we are asking that orders be emailed back to chris.deas@italianwinemerchants.com, or connect with your Portfolio Manager AND mention receipt of this offer if calling the store. All orders are subject to confirmation. IWM is not responsible for typographical errors.

All my best,

Chris