2021 Sancerre Les Chailloux
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Tasting notes
The 2021 Les Chailloux is Riffault's only Sancerre grown on flint soils - the rest is on limestone. And it evokes the scent of flint being struck. It is a cool, westish-facing site that doesn't get morning sun, so it's a taut, crisp, citrus style with gooseberry flavors and nettles. There's a hint of nutty character from time in barrel on lees, which has also provided padding around its focused, light-bodied core. The conclusion is taut, brimming with laser-like acid and almost tannic: it's a pocket rocket. The 2021 is a real terroir and vintage example.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous
More reviews and scores
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. Natural cork. Tasted in March 2023.
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.