Sancerre blanc “Les Denisottes” AOC 2019 — Claude Riffault

The Les Denisottes site is located not far from the winery in Sury-en-Vaux. It comprises three parcels of 1.1 hectares in total, facing southeast at an altitude of 260 meters. The vines are 40 to 53 years old and rooted in Kimmerdige limestone. The grapes were harvested and sorted by hand and then pneumatically pressed very slowly. Clarification was cool and by gravity. The juice was fermented spontaneously and aged on its lees for 14 months in wooden barrels made from multiple grapes. The yeast was stirred only sporadically.

light to medium straw yellow

The Sancerre »Les Denisottes" appears cool as well as clear and opens with bright green and yellow aromas. Limes and lemons can be sensed here as well as pure blue, green pears and apples. Stony notes of lime and chalk are particularly present, and perhaps even a hint of mint. With air, the cool notes are captured by a silky and slightly reminiscent of vanilla cream.

On the palate this Sancerre beguilingly charming! There's an enormous amount of fruit without being in any way slouchy or overdone or deliberate. Rather, you have notes of star nettles and autumn pears, lemons and white currants on the palate here, which combine with a lively yet silky acidity. The Les Denisottes is incredibly balanced and harmonious, precise and clear in everything it shows. At the same time, it definitely has a fullness that lines the whole mouth, but always stays on the track laid by the energetic acidity.