Wines Savennières Loïc Mahé - Sectilis Terra - 2009

Viniou Reviews

Loïc Mahé’s 2009 “Cuvée Sectilis Terra” hails from the prestigious Savennières AOC, a renowned appellation in the Anjou-Saumur subregion of the Loire Valley. Crafted exclusively from Chenin Blanc, this dry white wine is the result of meticulous vineyard management on schist-rich soils, with low yields ensuring depth and concentration. Vinification typically involves natural yeast fermentation and careful ageing, sometimes in oak, to enhance complexity without overwhelming the varietal’s racy freshness and signature minerality. The 2009 vintage, noted for its warm, dry conditions, has allowed the grapes to achieve full maturity, resulting in a textured wine with an expressive aromatic profile—ripe orchard fruit, quince, floral notes, combined with an underlying flinty edge and a persistent, saline finish. Over a decade of bottle age has also encouraged subtle tertiary aromas, such as beeswax, lanolin and gentle nuttiness, lending further sophistication.

Savennières occupies a small yet celebrated stretch of land on the north bank of the Loire, west of Angers. The area benefits from a unique combination of temperate maritime influence and well-drained schistous soils, creating an ideal environment for Chenin Blanc to achieve both ripeness and remarkable acidity. Historically, Savennières has long been associated with wines of great structure, ageing potential and strong expression of terroir, standing as one of the Loire’s most noble white wine appellations.

Pairing this Savennières with food reveals its versatility and grace. Its mineral backbone and textured palate suit refined dishes: try it alongside roasted poultry, firm fleshed fish such as pike or turbot in beurre blanc, shellfish, lobster or scallops, and richer preparations like veal blanquette. Regional Loire specialities—such as rillauds d’Anjou or a goat’s cheese like Selles-sur-Cher—are excellent matches, as are vegetable dishes containing mushrooms, artichokes or asparagus.

For optimal enjoyment, serve this wine chilled, but not too cold, at around 10-12°C. Decant gently if possible, as this will allow the complex bouquet to unfurl. Enjoy now for its balance of freshness and maturity, or cellar further for more evolved honeyed notes.