Jean Christophe Garnier, Chenin Blanc 'La Roche Bézigon' 2021

A former sommelier, Jean-Christophe decided to move on and get stuck into making wine in the Coteaux du Layon (Loire Valley). He acquired some wisdom whilst initially working for local legend, Marc Angeli, before buying several of his own plots and cracking on. His Chenin vines range between 40 and 60 years old and he also farms smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc, Grolleau, Gamay and Pineau d’Aunis. Schist, limestone and marl soils provide breadth of style in his range and slow pressing in the winery yields juice with amazing purity. Often showing a beautiful oxidative note, his chenins really are well worth a go.