Claude Riffault - Sancerre Les Chailloux 2021 (750ml)
Price: $69.99
| Producer | Claude Riffault |
| Country | France |
| Region | Loire Valley |
| Varietal | Sauvignon Blanc |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Sku | 66042 |
| Size | 750ml |
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Claude Riffault Description
Les Chailloux is a unique site in the village of Sury-en-Vaux. While silex soils (Flint) are common in the neighboring Pouilly-Fumé and the eastern edge of Sancerre, it is fairly scare in the northwestern part of Sancerre. Stéphane Riffault farms about 1 hectare of vines in this lieu-dit, a more profoundly mineral, smoky and tightly-wound wine capable of aging gracefully for many years.
Wine Advocate: 95 Points
From almost 50-year-old vines in flint-stone soils, the 2021 Sancerre Les Chailloux opens with a clear and intense nose with pure mineral aromas of iodine and crushed flint stones, whereas the fruit aromas are very discreet but fully intermingle with the stones. On the palate, this is a very elegant and vivacious Sancerre with great tension, phenolic and mineral thrills as well as an almost-charming and refined fruit core. The acidity is lively and refined, and on the aftertaste, it's beautifully intertwined with the ripe, elegant yet discreet fruit and minerals. A very distinctive, savory and saline Sancerre with fine grip and citrus fruit bitters on the long and intense finish. This is probably the finest of the 2021 Riffault quintet tasted for this miscellaneous report. 13% stated alcohol.
Vinous: 92-94 Points
The only parcel on flint, the 2021 Sancerre Les Chailloux is truly flinty in its appearance - both from the soil and the fact that it's still on lees when tasted. If you like driven and precise wines with the precision of a laser, make this your target within the Riffault range. Expect gooseberry. citrus, nettles and fresh pineapple and the merest touches of wood. Mineral, firm and taut. A real terroir expression but for those that like their wines a little riper and tender, head towards one of the cuvées planted on limestone and clay.
