Sancerre blanc „Les Boucauds“ AOC 2023

Wine description for Sancerre blanc „Les Boucauds“ AOC 2023 by Claude Riffault

Colour & Appearance

Pale straw yellow with brilliant clarity – a wine that announces its youth and freshness visually.

Nose

Here Sancerre reveals its most mineral side. Whilst many Sauvignon Blancs boast green notes and gooseberries, here wet stone and petrichor – that earthy scent of summer rain – dominate. Beneath lie pears and apples with skin, verbena, a hint of elderflower and lemon pips. The nutshell notes already hint at the oak ageing, which remains discreetly in the background.

Palate

Juicy, sensual, complete – that sums up this Sancerre perfectly. The fullness typical of Riffault meets remarkable precision. On the palate, quince and pear cream, white stone fruit, green plums and citrus fruits unfold. The extract sweetness is balanced by pronounced salinity and herbal spice. Noteworthy: a fine tannin that provides structure without dominating. At 14% alcohol, the 2023 vintage shows power, yet the acidity keeps everything in balance.

Finish

Long-lasting and mineral, with a saline aftertaste that invites the next sip.

Terroir & Origin

The vineyard Les Boucauds sits at 245 metres with a south-easterly aspect, directly adjacent to the winery in Chambre. The Terres blanches, the famous Kimmeridge limestone marl, fundamentally shapes the character of this wine. This fossil-rich soil gives the wine its distinctive minerality and salinity.

Grape Variety & Vinification

100% Sauvignon Blanc from vines of approximately 15 years old. Hand-harvested, slow pneumatic pressing, spontaneous fermentation and 12 months ageing in used oak barrels on the lees with sporadic bâtonnage. This vinification gives the wine texture and complexity without masking the fruit.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Perfect with local goat’s cheese, grilled sea bass, scallops, oysters or asparagus with Hollandaise sauce. Also an excellent choice with sushi and light seafood pasta.

Special Features

Claude Riffault is among Sancerre’s top winemakers. This wine combines power with elegance and impressively demonstrates that Sancerre can be more than an uncomplicated summer wine.