Sancerre blanc “Les Chasseignes” AOC 2020 – Claude Riffault

The name Les Chasseignes stands less for a particular vineyard than for a type of soil that is actually Caillottes is called. It lies below the layer of the Terres blanches and is characterised by Calcaire à Astéries from fossil starfish as well as Calcaire de Tonnerre, originally a very hard limestone that has weathered into a sponge-like porous limestone. Both types of limestone combine here. Stéphane Riffault's Les Chasseignes are located in the north-east of the village of Sury-en-Vaux at an altitude of 275 metres, facing east and south-east. He owns eleven plots there totalling 3.25 hectares. The vines range in age from 17 to 45 years. The grapes were harvested by hand, sorted and then pneumatically pressed very slowly. The clarification was done cool and by gravity. The juice was fermented spontaneously and matured on the lees for 14 months in wooden barrels made from multiple grapes. The yeast was stirred only sporadically.

pale straw yellow

The Sancerre »Les Chasseignes" combines firm ripe white-fleshed fruits with bright citrus and herbal-stony notes in an extremely charming way to create a delicious melange in which yellow apples and pears, yellow plums, oats, ripe lemons as well as a hint of kitchen herbs and white flowers and a hint of wood and vanilla can be found. All this comes across as finely wrought and more restrained than expressive.

On the palate the Sancerre Power and body, a great presence of acidity, tension and minerality, and a texture to melt away. From the first moment, the Sauvignon Blanc is present and combines herbs, lime and salt with pome fruit, white stone fruit, yellow plums and citrus fruits. This is juicy and precise, fresh and clear, but above all exceedingly elegant and subtle, despite the presence that the Sancerre in every moment.