Man of earth and nature
JEAN-FRANÇOIS CHENÉ
When the cellar and vineyards of the esteemed Jean-François Chené (La Coulée d'Ambrosia) in Beaulieu-sur-Layon became available for purchase, it was a rare and significant opportunity for Clément Poirel to bring his dreams to fruition.
When JF was at his best, his wines were among the best in the Loire, which says something about JF's skills as a winemaker and the enviable plots.
Since 2020, Clément has owned 1 hectare of Chenin Blanc, 0.5 hectares of Cabernet Franc, and 0.5 hectares of Grolleau, mainly located on slopes with slate soils.
NATURAL CYCLE
Like his renowned father, Francis Poirel, who elevated the wines of Château du Suronde, Clément gets inspired by the harmony between man, earth, and nature. His focus is on the vineyard work, where every action follows biodynamic principles that respect the natural cycle. He intervenes minimally in the winemaking process, striving to create natural wines that reflect the terroir, respect the soil's life, and maintain the vine's balance, thereby preserving the wine's equilibrium.
HILTRIDUS
Sub Divo (sous le ciel) and Hora Noctis (l'heure de la nuit) are vibrant, energetic red wines from Cabernet Franc and Grolleau, exuding purity, finesse, and complexity, with a wonderfully juicy profile due to their low alcohol content. The two exceptional Chenins, 2020 and 2021, bearing the illustrious name Hiltrudis, have already established themselves as some of the finest Chenins in the Loire, selling out immediately upon release.
TESSA LAROCHE
Clément has great admiration for the wines of Tessa Laroche, and he is proud that his soulmate Hélène de Fontaine was able to creatively portray her beautiful oeuvre "A Year in the Heart of the Vineyards of the Loire Valley" with stunning photos. Clément and Hélène have tried to design their striking labels as clearly as possible in unexpected colours with a look as energetic as their wines, and they have succeeded very well.
