Angers born Thomas Batardière began his career in wine in 2008, first working as a sommelier before gaining experience in winemaking with the famed Saumur estate Château Yvonne. He set up on his own in 2012 with 2 hectares of Chenin vines in Rablay-sur-Layon in 2012 where he neighbours perhaps the most famous Chenin Blanc producer of all, Richard Leroy.

The Clos des Cocus is a hillside parcel neighbouring Montbenault - the prestigious right bank of Layon - where Thomas has a 0.6 hectare plot planted in 1968 right at the top of the hill where the vines delve deep into the schist bedrock. Razor sharp, deep, multi-layered and exquisitely textured, this is simply a stunning new wave Chenin.