The estate's emblematic vineyard, the Clos de l'Écotard, was planted by Michel Chevré between 2009 and 2013. It lies on a slope of clay/limestone with occasional outcrops of limestone bedrock, below the village of Courchamps. With the help of Thierry Germain, Chevré planted at a density of 8000 vines per hectare (considerably higher than the regional norm) using a range of Chenin clones and sélections massales sourced from the vineyards of François Chidaine.
Covering a continuous parcel of two hectares, the Clos de l'Écotard has only ever been ploughed by horse and the farming has been organic since day one. The first six harvests from this site were vinified by Germain and sold alongside his Roches Neuves portfolio. 2017 was the first vintage bottled by the newly formed Domaine and was released alongside a second wine from the same vineyard (Les Pentes).
Fermentation began in stainless steel tank, then mid-way through the ferment, the juice was racked into a mixture of foudre and 500-litre demi-muid. Following 10 months on lees, the wine was then bottled unfiltered.
Still with the reserve of youth, this dazzling 2019 wears its power with purity and grace. Full-bodied, deeply textured and slightly phenolic, flavours of white fruit and wet rock are balanced by a taut line of invigorating acidity, with salty minerals lingering on the resonant finish.