Arnaud Lambert

Saumur Blanc 'les Parcelles' 2022

Name: Saumur Blanc 'les Parcelles' 2022
Brand: Arnaud Lambert
SKU: LAMBERTparcelles22
Price: 25.0 USD
Availability: InStock

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Variety: 100% Chenin Blanc

My first introductions to wine were from a more traditional perspective, meaning they were wines that corresponded to place but also tradition, whether regional or generational. In contrast, many winemakers that were part of the original “natural wine movement” were bucking against tradition, from sulfur usage, to industrial farming, to regional hierarchy. There was also a large affordability component to the idea of natural wines.

Fast forward 30+ years, the US interpretation of natural wine is a bit closer to a trend, and like most trends the pendulum has swung radically in one direction -- but there are vignerons pushing the industry back toward its center. Arnaud Lambert is an excellent example of a middle ground. The estate is relatively large (40 ha), but has been farmed certified organic since 2009 and biodynamically for the last five years. The holdings are separated into three villages: Brézé, Saint-Cyr-en-Bourg, and Montsoreau. Arnaud is interested in parcel-specific bottlings, which is informed from his time working in Burgundy.

Les Parcelles is a newer bottling that is a blend of parcels from the communes of Brézé and Saint-Cyr-En-Bourg. It's made direct press, with no malo (read: bright acid), and five months in concrete tank. Lambert is part of the Becky Wasserman portfolio, who in my opinion is the GOAT. The portfolio was started by Wasserman in Burgundy and that is still where most of its winemakers are centered. For me, they're a wine importer I’ve slowly become familiar with throughout the years (many of the producers are price-prohibitive now and allocated), but the founder’s story is incredibly interesting and inspirational, especially as a woman in wine.

This producer is a stepping stone into the world of appellation-specific wines that are sometimes deceptively simple.

- Rebekah