Chardonnay en amphore, Claudy Clavien - 2023

We know the talent of Claudy Clavien, an outstanding Valaisan winegrower, to sublimate Syrah. But it is less known that he is very gifted for all the delicate and fruity red grape varieties. Claudy Clavien was born in Miège, a small village of 1,500 inhabitants situated at an altitude of 700 metres, three kilometres from the town of Sierre, halfway between the latter and Crans-Montana. It is one of the most beautiful hillsides in the central Valais and it was in this village that he developed a taste for the vine. His parents, owners of 2 hectares, gave him the love of the land, and later the love of wine. After graduating in viticulture and oenology from the Changins school, he created La Cave des Champs in 1986 and spent a lot of time determining the suitability of each of the grape varieties for its terroir. Without compromise, he also works on the balance of the plant, in order to obtain the lowest yields, with a view to optimising the concentration of the berry; this results in the right maturity of the fruit, favouring both the structure of the wine and the freshness of the fruit. In the last few vintages, the decision was even taken to go organic, under the impetus of his daughter Shadia, who had recently arrived. The wines continue to gain in depth and precision of fruit, with a density that increases all the more as the yields decrease. All the grape varieties benefit...