Chenin Blanc, who knew?

I have certain word associations regarding wine. Here's one: box wine, jug wine, chablis, almaden, chenin blanc.

But about 2 years ago, I read a French grower, Baumard, made excellent Chenin Blanc. Of course, somebody had to make a decent wine out of it somewhere in the world. But about 6 months ago, I started hearing much more of it. Wine Spectator gave a 98 (!) to a Baumard. The african Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc got a WS 90 for $14. And today, I pulled a French Loire Valley white out the fridge and wondered what it was. It says "Savennieres" prominantly and I thought could this might be yet another Chenin Blanc?

Sure enough, Chenin Blanc. A Pierre Soulez 2002 Savennieres Chateau Chamboureau (WS 90, $24). And an interesting wine at that. Intense honey suckle, almond and honey in a slightly viscous body. Good acidic finish. It paired nicely with my left over cous cous with fish and butternut squash. It also went well with a cous cous salad with chicken, grapes and walnuts.