Chenin Blanc recommends

[Jeff_Rosenberg]

I really like dry Chenin Blanc. Not my favorite white wine varietal/blend but really enjoyable, and a crowd pleaser. To date, the best example in my experience was this:

2017 La Grange Tiphaine Montlouis-sur-Loire Clef de Sol Blanc. The 2018 vintage was noticeably more ripe and round. The 2019 was better. I have one more bottle.

I’m looking for a dry Loire Chenin Blanc that won’t break the bank. Think <$30 porch sipper. What can you recommend. I’m not opposed to something domestic either. Please weigh in. Thank you in advance.

[ChrisJames]

Have you looked at this thread?

Help me diversify my secs life

I’ve been a happy buyer of Huet Vourvay secs for over a decade now. I like the wines both young and older, even as I (and for whatever reason people have strong reactions to this) have experienced a low-but-not-insignificant amount of oxidation risk with their wines overall. I used to buy Chidaine a decent amount, but I had a slightly higher degree of uneven results there and drifted away. Sometimes oxidation, but sometimes just wines that didn’t click with me. I tried Foreau, but the ones I…

[Chris_C_a_r_y]

Orr Old Vines, Washington $25 probably available on Berserker Day.

[Rich_K0rz_nk0]

Misread the post first time around, looking for domestic as well. Orr is good stuff and then there’s Beau Rivage and Extradimensional in the mix; I imagine you’ll see them on BD.

Beyond Loire and domestic, check out South Africa. Sadie is my favorite offering; pricey but damn good.

Edit: While Sadie is pricey and needs some time, Oldenburg, Mulderbosch, Beaumont, Daneel, and Simonsig have offerings that fall in to porch sippers by your definition.

[Jeremy_Holmes]

I really like the 2021 Arnaud Lambert Saumur Brézé Clos de Midi. It absolutely over-delivers at the price.

[Jeff_Rosenberg]

Thanks, Chris. I did not think to search “secs life”.

[btyson]

I had an inconnu (CA) chenin blanc a few days ago and was really impressed, reminded me of some more expensive loire bottles and was ~$30, WS is showing a bunch between 25-30 depending on vintage.

[RichardFlack]

A lot of excellent Chenin from South Africa and prices are still very reasonable. Producers such as Mulineux, Alheit (who also have an excellent Chenin based blend Cartology ) DeMorgenzen, Radford Dale etc, and yes Sadie.

[BillKniep]

Second shout out for the Lambert*

And for me, the best value Chenin out there is the Thibaud Boudignon Anjou Blanc*. It’s marginally above the $30 mark, but its like Chenin etched with a laser.

[Erica_O_r_r]

Thanks for the shoutout above, guys. Some other dry minerally American Chenins to check out - Sandlands, Leo Steen, Zeitgeist, Lieu Dit, Lobo Hills. The most recent vintage of L’ecole 41’s CB is dry.
I haven’t tasted the Aperture Clarksburg Chenin - it’s closer to $40 though. I bought Dwyane Wade’s 3 by Wade Chenin at Whole Foods on a whim - it was way better than I expected, fresh and clean and on sale for like $17.

[Curt_Wood]

For an inexpensive Chenin Blanc Dry Creek has one for $16.00 that is a tasty treat.

[ChrisJames]

@BillKniep

the best value Chenin out there is the Thibaud Boudignon Anjou Blanc*. It’s marginally above the $30 mark, but its like Chenin etched with a laser.

Great stuff, but I always see it in the $40-44 range on the West Coast.

[Rich_Brown]

@Erica_O_r_r

Thanks for the shoutout above, guys. Some other dry minerally American Chenins to check out - Sandlands, Leo Steen, Zeitgeist, Lieu Dit, Lobo Hills. The most recent vintage of L’ecole 41’s CB is dry.
I haven’t tasted the Aperture Clarksburg Chenin - it’s closer to $40 though. I bought Dwyane Wade’s 3 by Wade Chenin at Whole Foods on a whim - it was way better than I expected, fresh and clean and on sale for like $17.

I’d also add Haarmeyer to the list! Really great lean, dry, CA chenin that is priced incredibly well.

[Noah_C]

+1 on Mullineux from S Africa. They’ve got some great stuff that can be had for under $40. Their “Old Vines” white blend is really nice- not sure of the cepage though. From their website: “The Swartland is blessed with an abundance of old vine Chenin and we use this as the backbone of our white blend. We then add several small parcels of Mediterranean varieties for complexity, balance and aromatic lift.” Whatever that means…A good buy at $35 nonetheless.

They have a budget label called “Kloof Street” that makes a Chenin for $25 or so. I was not impressed at all the one time I tried it. If it were me, I’d pay the extra $10 every time.

[M_Meer]

Aubuisieres was one I used to drink back in the day. They make sec & sec-tendre. Pichot is also nice, which I’ve had recently. Otherwise, it’s Guiberteau or Huet more regularly.

[Evan_K]

I really enjoyed Enfield’s Jurassic Park chenin this year. Just a joyful wine for me.

[P_a_u_l_Christensen]

Well within your budget is the Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc which seems pretty widely available in the US at prices in the range $12-18. It’s a decent daily drinker.

[JBrochu]

Nicolas Paget Chenin Blanc Melodie is a very nice dry Chenin Blanc from Touraine-Azay le Rideau, imported and sold by Ansonia Wines for $19.

[John_Telford]

@Jeff_Rosenberg

I’m looking for a dry Loire Chenin Blanc that won’t break the bank. Think <$30 porch sipper.

Baumard Savennieres 2018 is a crazy value. Simply cannot go wrong! It can be found for $20-$30.

[IlkkaL]

The cheaper bottlings from Taille aux Loups fit the bill nicely. Boudignon unfortunately not below 30€ anymore so would guess the price to increase on that side of the pond as well.