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New Arrivals:
96 Pointers
From
Francois Chidaine
The Master of Chenin Blanc
Chidaine's gloriously concentrated, beautifully balanced and characterful Chenin Blancs from Montlouis and Vouvray are as good or better than any others made. They are quintessential expressions of this hugely underrated, noble grape. Given their affordability, they make a powerful case as the finest wines available from anywhere at this price.
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François Chidaine is one of the Loire Valley’s great success stories. After finishing viticultural school in the mid-1980s, François went to work alongside his father, Yves, who had only four hectares of rented vineyard land in the appellation of Montlouis, in Touraine. Yves retired in 1989 and passed the torch to François who quickly found a feel for the vineyards and an ease with the multitude of growers who tended them. François was able to find access great sites and eventually options to purchase parcels and add them to the family estate.,
The majority of François’ terroirs are situated in Montlouis, where there is a striking minerality derived from the flinty soils that have given the appellation its own reputation for excellence. While François is a darling of the organic and biodynamic movements, he is by no means interested in indicating as much on the labels. Instead, he focuses on keeping his 40- to 80-year-old vines healthy and yields low, averaging 35 hl/ha. He follows the almanac developed by biodynamic legend, Maria Thun, which looks at both the solar and lunar calendars to establish the best timing for specific vine treatments. He and his team harvest the entire crop by hand.
We are listing just two wines from this release, they are the pick of the litter. Both are dry and despite the trope of the Wine advocate 96 point review, both are rich and powerful wines, yet they are deliciously approachable with no need for any cellar-time.
At these prices, you owe it to yourself to get to know these wonderful wines.
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In stock now
Montlouis, Les Choisilles 2019 - $35
96 points - The Wine Advocate
"Chidaine's 2019 Montlouis sur Loire Les Choisilles is deep, pure, fresh and refined on the nose but still very young, with lemon leaf, chalk and sur lie aromas. On the palate, this is a rich and concentrated Chenin, but it reveals remarkable freshness and energy. It is a bit unfair to compare it to the 2018, which has a year more of development, but I have to, and I am still amused by the 2019, which lifts Les Choisilles to unknown heights. The salinity and mineral grip are really beautiful here in the finish, and I believe the wine can age for two decades. Highly attractive pineapple flavors on the aftertaste. Tasted in March 2021."
Montlouis, Les Grillonnieres par Alice Chidaine 2019 - $45
Very Limited
96 points - The Wine Advocate
"From 90+-year-old vines on clay soils with flint topping a bedrock made of tuff (a soft, white limestone), the 2019 Montlouis sur Loire Les Grillonnières by Alice Chidaine displays a bright and vital citrus color and opens with a pure, delicate and fresh bouquet that intertwines fresh lemon with chalky notes in a very delicate yet substantial and really fascinating, refined manner. Vinified with indigenous yeasts in demi-muids for 11 months, this is a full-bodied, intense and concentrated yet refined and even filigreed Chenin with delicate mineral acidity, fine tannins and a sustainable structure with intense and refreshing iodine length. This is a fascinating, complex yet weightless and elegant Montlouis that is beautifully balanced and shouldn't be served too cold. If you like Chablis or Burgundian Pinot Noir, you should try this one—but from a Burgundy glass. However, let the wine breathe for several hours, since it will become better and better, unfolding more and more of its beautiful nature. For me, this is a Must Buy. Tasted in March 2021.."
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- Subject to final confirmation and remaining unsold
- Orders will be confirmed as received; please allow time for processing
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