Clos Galerne: mastery of Chenin in some great Anjou terroirs
Website: https://closgalerne.com/
Cédric Bourez is the dude behind Clos Galerne, and exciting and relatively new producer in Anjou. His background is working at Château d’Esclans in Provence, a rather different venture to this one.
In 2018 Cedric and Myrtille purchased a domaine in the village of Rochefort -sur-Loire, with some lovely old vine holdings facing the Layon river. He’s farmed organically since purchasing the domaine and was certified three years later. They began with 7 hectares and now have 12, with plots in Anjou Noir, Pierre Bise, Moulin Brûlé Beaulieu-sur-Layon, Savennières and Chaume. They vary in soil composition, with slate, volcanic soils, schists and sands.
There are two reds, which I didn’t try here, but the focus of the domaine is varied expressions of Chenin Blanc, most of which are made in 400 litre barrels.
THE WINES
Clos Galerne Balade en Chenin 2022 Anjou Blanc, Loire, France
This is a blend of terroirs, matured in tank. Supple with nice weight. Stony and quite mineral with nice flesh as well as good acidity. Notes of pear and apples. 91/100
Clos Galerne Savennières 2022 Loire, France
Sand/schist soils, matured in 400 litre oak. Notes of wax, honey and stones on the nose, following through to pear, apple and citrus on the palate. Dry with a lovely salty finish. Finely spiced and quite layered. 94/100
Clos Galerne Ronceray 2022 Anjou Blanc, Loire, France
This is from Chaume and Quarts de Chaume and soils are schist, riolyte and square sedimentary rocks. Complex and layered with nuts, spice and wax with nice freshness. Has a stony, mineral edge and a waxy finish. 91/100
Clos Galerne Exspecto 2022 Anjou Blanc, Loire, France
Red schist soils which keep warmth and lead to good maturation. Powerful, lively and mineral with lovely rich lime, peach and melon fruit. This has structure and length and is mineral and bright. 94/100
Clos Galerne Les Rouannières 2021 Anjou Blanc, Loire, France
This is from the same plot as Exspecto, but the soil here is stony, basaltic rocks with cracks in them. Intense, lively and mineral with notes of wax, lime and wet stones. Really precise with some fennel notes and a saline twist. Very fine. 94/100
Clos Galerne Quarts de Chaume Douceur Angevine 2021 Loire, France
An impressive sweet wine with 156 g/l residual sugar. Powerful and lively with lovely citrus and spice notes, together with apricot and marmalade richness and some pithy citrus notes. Such intensity and purity, and beautiful balance. 95/100
UK agent: Roberson Wine
