Joly Savennières Les Vieux Clos 2020

91 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "This cuvée has seen fermentation through to 14.62% alcohol, with 100% malolactic fermentation, and an élevage lasting eight months in barrel. It was bottled in June 2021. The nose is fragranced, and displays a sense of purity, the attractive character undeniable even to skeptics like me. I get intriguing aromas of honeysuckle, blanched almond, and vanilla. The palate possesses plenty of mineral energy and is infused with grip and density. There is plenty of primary drive here, with bright orange peel notes, before a textured and grained finish. This is rather good and surpasses my expectations. It may even do well in the cellar. (Feb 2022)"

90 points Bettane & Desseauve Guide (2023).

Producer notes: "Les Vieux Clos provides an inviting taste into the Famille Joly style. The 5.5 hectares vineyard is planted on light slopes facing east in the mountainous AOC Savennières appellation. The soil is different here, with more sand in the first 2 feet. Yields are kept at 25 hectoliters per hectare (well below the 50 hl/ha requirement of the appellation). Unique to this wine in the portfolio, fermentation can be completed partly in tank. The resulting wine provides expressive exotic notes of ginger and coriander balanced with candied pear and an accent of salinity. Les Vieux Clos is often considered the most aromatic of the three wines."