Thibaud Boudignon Anjou Blanc ‘a Francoise’ 2017

Even if you didn’t need a foil to great white Burgundy, you must, must try this wine. Thibaud Boudignon is making some of the most exciting white wines in the world, with a nod to Burgundian techniques. The 2017 Anjou Blanc ‘a Francoise’ entices with a nose of flint, struck match, white flowers, citrus and honey. Muscular and concentrated, with incredible freshness, the attack is focused and direct. Citrus fruit, nuts, honey, apricot and intense minerality. Very long indeed. Remarkable wine and an absolute bargain.

From a parcel of 37 year-old vines in St-Lambert-du-Lattay, planted at 8000 vines/ha on shallow soils of grey schist and rhyolite. Native yeast fermented in wood including some 300l cigares, used to build lees complexity. Maturation in these and 700l demi-muids (30% new) for 15–18 months. Named in honour of his mother Françoise, who passed away when Thibaud was 17, and his father François.