Damien Laureau, Savennieres "Bel Ouvrage", 2016

Damien Laureau is emerging as the future star of Savennières, crafting mineral-driven Chenin Blanc from schist soils that rival the appellation's famous monopoles. Bel Ouvrage blends three parcels from eastern Savennières—including one adjacent to the legendary Coulée de Serrant—aged 12 months in neutral oak followed by 11 months in tank. The 2016 shows the vintage's hallmark concentration: quince, lime blossom, and wet stone aromatics with electric acidity and a persistent mineral finish. This is Savennières at its most compelling, offering both immediate pleasure and decades of evolution. Pair with shellfish, river fish, or aged goat cheese.