Sancerre blanc “Les Chasseignes” AOC 2022

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 Terres blanches layer and is characterised by Calcaire à Astéries from fossil starfish and Calcaire de Tonnerre, an originally 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 to 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 are between 17 and 45 years old. The grapes were harvested by hand, sorted and then pneumatically pressed very slowly. Clarification was cool and by gravity. The juice was fermented spontaneously and matured on the lees for 14 months in wooden barrels. The yeast was only stirred sporadically. Stéphane Riffault avoids malolactic fermentation.

light straw yellow with light green reflexes

The Sancerre »Les Chasseignes" offers a wealth of flavours and impressions from the very first moment, ranging from 1TP9Citrusy, powerful and puristic« to 1TP9Elegant, sensual and opulent«. It is astonishing that these flavours fit together so seamlessly. The Sancerre opens with a melange of lemons and mandarins, green apples and pears, some yellow plum and carambola, but also with notes of celery stalk and herbs as well as a little vanilla and lemon curd.

On the palate the Sancerre On the one hand a silky, full texture with plenty of volume and density, on the other a pulsating power and minerality, lots of salt and lemon, white fruit flesh, an accompanying hint of wood and vanilla and plenty of punchy acidity. This is a very complete Sancerrethat challenges and at the same time provides a cosy relaxation.