95pts Wine Enthusiast - Cellar Selection

The vineyard shaped like a butterfly (papillon) is one of the top vineyards in Savennières. Steeply sloped, it produces an intense wine with high acidity and steely white fruits when young. This wine will soften beautifully, giving richness, always a nutty character over the bone dry aftertaste. Drink from 2026.

92pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2019 Savennieres Clos du Papillon exhales a shy and closed bouquet with aromas of lemon, spring flowers and ripe orchard fruits. Medium to full-bodied, rich and satiny, it has a delicate core of fruit with a phenolic, slightly bitter aftertaste. It can be drinking anytime over the next decade. Bottled with a screw-cap closure.
Rating: 92+

92pts Vinous

I love the purity and personality of the 2019 Clos du Papillon. It has a sense of roundness and curved edges, yet maintains a sense of lightness and focus on its feet. The aromas and flavors are highly attractive: fresh apple fruit, florals and delicate almond feel. Based on previous vintages, this will gain more complexity, weight and savory layers with a decade under its belt. Yes, you could drink it now, but it'll be a lot more interesting if you wait.

92pts Decanter

A highly ambrosial nose precedes a palate that is rounded and fresh, with pure, creamy, lemon-butter fruit. Aged for a few years before release, this is now a hugely appealing and harmonious wine, which initially feels loosely structured but finishes with a firm, mineral grip. Everything is in place in this highly approachable wine. Pristine, elegant and sure of itself.

91pts Wine Spectator

A beguiling wine, equally fresh and rich, this starts off firm and focused, then opens up to reveal green fig, pear and spiced quince flavors. Boasts green herb, flint and smoky, salted almond highlights on the warm, lengthy finish.

About the Wine

Domaine des Baumard produces some of the finest examples of Savennières, including the single-vineyard “Clos du Papillon” from a site along the Loire noted for the presence of volcanic rock in its schist soils. The vineyard gets its name from its particular butterfly shape. Florent Baumard owns the eastern “wing” of this famous vineyard, and produces what must be one of the most under-appreciated great white wines in the world. The sheer intensity of the orchard fruit, floral, and earthy minerality notes emerging as the structure of the wine builds – nothing short of thrilling.