Domaine Andree (Stephane Erisse) Anjou Blanc Les Faraunieres 2017

 Located in Saint-Georges-sur-Layon in the heart of Anjou, Stéphane Érissé established his boutique domain after years of working alongside natural wine legends like Mark Angeli. 'Les Faraunières' is his flagship white cuvée, sourced from a tiny parcel of old vines planted on a plateau defined by unique, heavily weathered slate (schist) and quartz soils. Érissé manages his vineyards with uncompromising, low-yield biodynamic care, favoring horse-drawn plowing to respect soil structure. In the cellar, the wine is crafted with extreme minimalism: a slow, spontaneous fermentation driven by indigenous yeasts in old French oak barrels, followed by a long, quiet maturation without any fining, filtration, or added sulfur. The result is a profoundly deep, structural masterpiece that strips away all modern artifact to reveal the raw, majestic tension of Anjou.

In the glass, it pours a rich, shimmering straw-gold color, instantly unleashing an explosive, evolving bouquet that demands a large glass. The nose opens with a dense, complex kaleidoscope of bruised yellow orchard fruits, baked quince, and preserved lemon, layered intricately with notes of beeswax, honeycomb, and a striking, smoky flint reduction. On the palate, the wine delivers a masterclass in concentration, textural weight, and vertical power. The entry is broad, fleshy, and highly tactile—coating the mouth with a luxurious wave of dry honeyed fruit and savory undertones—before being instantly sliced open by a razor-sharp, electric line of slate-driven acidity. The unique schist bedrock lends a profound, mineral weight and a distinct saline-tinged tension that leaves the mouth watering. It finishes completely bone-dry and virtually eternal, echoing with long trails of citrus pith, smoky reduction, and a clean, grippy mineral finish.