Fabrice Chaillou Midion 2018 white

Fabrice Chaillou Midion 2018 is a characterful Loire Chenin Blanc that leans firmly into the world of natural wine, offering both depth and playfulness in the glass. Slightly hazy, spontaneously fermented and minimally handled in the cellar, it’s a wine that evolves dramatically with air and rewards patient, curious drinkers. This cuvée reflects the long Loire tradition of Chenin Blanc, interpreted here through a modern, low‑intervention lens that emphasizes texture, spice and ripe fruit over simple primary aromatics.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Midion 2018 shows a lightly cloudy, deep straw to golden hue, immediately signaling its unfiltered, natural style. The nose opens on a beguiling note of freshly baked lemon sponge roll, before gradually turning darker and more complex with air: think yellow stone fruit, baked quince, ripe pear and a whisper of pear eau‑de‑vie, all wrapped in a gently oxidative, savory glow. On the palate, the wine is dense and full‑bodied, with a concentrated core and deep, almost earthy spice. Layers of salted preserved lemon, dried apricot and candied ginger unfold across the tongue, supported by a firm, mouth‑coating structure that carries the generous 14% alcohol effortlessly; you feel it only as a gentle, comforting warmth on the finish. Acidity is present but integrated, providing balance rather than sharpness. This is a serious, gastronomic Chenin with plenty of energy, and it should continue to develop additional honeyed, nutty and savory complexity over the next 5–8 years if well cellared.

Production
Sourced from vineyards in France’s Loire Valley, this Chenin Blanc benefits from the region’s classic cool climate and mixed soils, which help preserve freshness while allowing full ripeness. Grapes are carefully harvested and brought to the cellar where they undergo spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts, a hallmark of Fabrice Chaillou’s low‑intervention approach. After fermentation, the wine is aged for a full 20 months in neutral fiberglass tanks, allowing texture and complexity to build without any influence of oak. There are no significant manipulations in the cellar, aside from a very small addition of sulfur, resulting in a vivid, unadorned expression of Chenin Blanc and place.

Food & Serving
This powerful yet nuanced Loire Chenin is a superb partner for rich, savory cuisine: try it with roasted poultry, guinea fowl or veal in cream sauces, baked turbot or cod, lobster, scallops with brown butter, or North African‑influenced dishes featuring preserved lemon and aromatic spices. It also works beautifully with aged semi‑hard cheeses and washed‑rind styles. Serve slightly cool, at around 10–12°C (50–54°F), rather than fridge‑cold to allow the aromatics to fully unfurl. Decanting for 30–60 minutes is strongly recommended, as the wine evolves markedly with oxygen and gains further complexity and harmony over time in the glass.

Producer
Fabrice Chaillou is an artisan vigneron in the Loire Valley, focusing on expressive, characterful wines that highlight the region’s benchmark white variety, Chenin Blanc. Working on a small scale allows close attention to each cuvée, from vineyard to bottle, with a strong emphasis on spontaneous fermentations and minimal intervention in the cellar. Within the dynamic Loire scene, Chaillou’s wines have earned a following among natural‑wine enthusiasts for their concentration, textural depth and ability to evolve and transform in the glass, offering a distinctive and personal take on one of France’s great grape varieties.

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