Attention Chenin Méchant 2024 Clos des Treilles

Attention Chenin Méchant 2024

Vineyard Philosophy

This Chenin Blanc is born from ancient soils in the Loire Valley, rich in silex and marine fossils, remnants of when the sea covered this land. The vineyard is farmed artisanally and sustainably, with a deep respect for biodiversity and minimal intervention in the soil. Manual work and careful attention result in healthy grapes that reflect the purity of the terroir.

Cellar Approach

Vinification follows a natural, non-intrusive philosophy. After a gentle pressing, the must ferments directly in second- and third-use barrels, where it undergoes both alcoholic and malolactic fermentation. The wine is then aged in stainless steel tanks for three months before bottling, with minimal filtration, to preserve all its nuance.

Tasting Notes

On the nose, it reveals saline, marine minerality, along with white flowers, citrus, and a touch of almond. The palate is bright, lean, and highly drinkable, showcasing Loire freshness with elegant salinity. A persistent and expressive wine that combines lightness with depth.

Tech Sheet

• Producer: Clos des Treilles

• Vintage: 2024

• Region: Loire Valley, France

• Grape Variety: 100% Chenin Blanc

• Soil: Silex and marine fossils

• Vinification: Barrel fermentation, steel aging

• Alcohol Content: 11.5%

• Bottle Size: 0.75 l

• Classification: Vin de France

• Style: Natural, saline, crisp

Clos des Treilles: a return to the land in the heart of Anjou

Clos des Treilles was born from the dream of Nicolas Reau, a visionary winemaker who, after a career as a pianist, chose to leave music behind to fully devote himself to wine. Nestled in the heart of Anjou, within the Loire Valley vineyards, this domaine embodies charm and biodiversity. Nicolas bought his first plots in 1998 and started vinifying in 2002 with a clear goal: to craft pure, uncompromising wines that express the soul of each unique parcel. His working philosophy blends peasant tradition, independent spirit, and an artistic sensitivity that shines through every bottle.

A living vineyard: nature, biodiversity, and absolute respect

Clos des Treilles is run with total respect for nature. Nicolas works with certified organic farming, no herbicides or pesticides, and careful manual labour that protects soil integrity. The vines, rooted in clay-limestone soils, are mainly old plots of Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc, and Gamay, thriving thanks to the Loire’s temperate climate. Biodiversity is safeguarded through hedgerows, wildflowers, and beneficial insects, while yields are kept deliberately low to produce healthy, concentrated grapes that mirror their unique terroir.

In the cellar: no tricks, only time as an ally

In the cellar, the approach is just as radical: natural winemaking, spontaneous fermentations with only native yeasts, no fining or filtration, and minimal to no added sulphur in some cuvées. Nicolas uses steel, concrete, and wood vats, choosing the best vessel for each wine to highlight its true character. The wines are alive, vibrant, sometimes unpredictable but always authentic: they capture Anjou in its purest form, with freshness, minerality, and a drinkability that never fails to charm.