Sancerre lies on the north-south axis of a geological faultline, dividing the appellation in two. The flint-based soils lie in the eastern sector of vineyards, on the Loire river side of the appellation. These flint-based vineyards account for less than 15% of the appellation’s surface area. A small part of the Sury-en-Vaux village abuts the Foret de Charnes at a point known as Les Chailloux. Here the domaine owns 1 hectare of vines. Wines with a flint soil provenance are the exact opposite of those from limestone soils. Their minerality is up front, very taut with a pronounced clean acidity.
Sensory Features: This Sancerre from Les Chailloux, is direct and mineral, finding its expression in a gun-flint smokiness. In the mouth, it is precise and tense; characteristically of flinty soils there is little appearance of depth. Les Chailloux is a cerebral Sancerre that always needs time to show its magnificent best. The nose is complex yet subtle, with hints of citrus peel and oyster shell. The palate is simply electrifying; mouth-wateringly fresh with a mealy richness which, it must be said, calls to mind Benoît Riffault’s Pulignys – though perhaps its time we started comparing them to Stéphane’s Sancerres!
Grape Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Terrior:Kimmeridgian limestone (Flint)
Harvest:Hand harvested, natural yeast fermentation in neutral 600L French oak demi-muids
Ageing:Aged 10 months in 600L French oak demi-muids. Vegan
