Chateau Bonnezeaux has fast become one of the Loire's cult winemakers producing dry Chenins from this famous sweet wine region. Because of French wine laws they are labelled with the humble Vin de France label!
The Chateau dates back to the 19th century but was neglected and abandoned for 30 years before Guyonne Saclier de la Bâtie took over in 2012, when she restored 3 hectares of Chenin Blanc vines in the heart of the Bonnezeaux appellation, guided by organic and biodynamic principles and careful replanting. Winemaker Pierre Boisseau took over in 2019 and acquired another 3 hectares. Fruit is hand-harvested and crushed in a traditional mechanical press. employing a low-intervention approach—fermentations are spontaneous, and the wines are bottled without fining, filtration, sulphur is kept to a minimum.
InterVal, NV is a blend of 'Vieilles Vignes 2021' and 'Prieur des Noues 2022'. So the cuvée is classified as non vintage.
The wine has aromas of orange blossom and jasmine over pear skin and honeycomb. A hint of white pepper and fresh-baked brioche from oak ageing. On the palate pear, yellow apple, and ripe quince impart a rounded, almost tropical profile, while zesty acidity keeps the wine taut. A minerally core emerges mid-palate, giving energy to the 24-month oak-derived length. Honeyed notes appear on the finish, balanced by a dry, steely undertone.
