2023 Blanc de Noir, Clau de Nell, Loire Valley, France, Vin de France

Domaine Clau de Nell is located in Ambillou-Château, in the heart of Anjou Noir. The estate was acquired in 2008 by Anne-Claude Leflaive and her husband Christian Jacques.

Anne-Claude Leflaive (1956–2015) is considered a major figure in contemporary viticulture. As head of the legendary Domaine Leflaive in Burgundy, she played a key role in elevating the reputation of the great white wines of Puligny-Montrachet and was one of the pioneers of biodynamic farming in France.

At Clau de Nell, she applied the same philosophy: strict biodynamic viticulture, a highly precise reading of clay, flint, and tuffeau limestone soils, and a constant pursuit of purity of expression. The estate relies on old vines (often 40 to 90 years old) and low-intervention winemaking, favouring long and precise ageing.

Today, Christian Jacques continues this work with a loyal team, notably Sylvain Potin in both vineyard and cellar. The wines are defined by remarkable precision, pronounced mineral tension, and a quiet depth, reflecting a very Burgundian interpretation of Anjou.