2020 Savennieres Clos du Papillon

The 2020 Clos du Papillon is shy aromatically, offering up restrained characters of white stone fruit, almond meal and an intriguing whiff of smokiness. It is a textured Savennières, initially caressing the mouth with its silken texture before showing its true colors: this is a powerful style with drive. Its tension, austere acidity and phenolic grain reflect its poor, volcanic soils. Compared with the 2019, it is more balanced (lower alcohol), taut and precise, and that's welcome.