Thibaud Boudignon, Savennières 'Franc de Pied' 2022

Place: Loire, France

Grape: Chenin Blanc

Vibe: Hen's teeth

Franc de pied, i.e. planted without rootstocks - a bold move and therefore an incredibly rare bottling. The idea here is to bring back the OG flavour of the terroir before America got it's rootstocks all over it. Only the brave attempt this, among them Francois Chidaine and Dagueneau. It's aged for 18 months in a wine globe (wut?) in a further quest for true purity. Unsurprinsingly, this is amazing. Energetic, pure, and dazzling. Citrus to the fore which melts away into rhubarb and passion fruit, topped with Mediterranean herbs and a hit of licorice. Intense minerality, as you might expect. Cellar this, trust me. ABV: 11.5%