Day Trip to the Sancerre and Pouilly Vineyards
In a fun and educational way, travel this part of the Loire Valley, which could well be the cradle of Sauvignon in France... Why has this grape earned its reputation t...
Profile
Structure
Drinking window
Latest scored vintage 2021: best 2023 to 2033.
vintage2 yrs12 yrs14 yrs
Critic scores
| Critic | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Vinous reviewed 2023 | 2021 | 92/100 |
Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.
In the glass
Aroma: yellow apple, white peach, fine spice, chalk
Palate: lemon zest, stone fruit, creamy lees, saline mineral
Single-vineyard Sancerre from calcaire lité (layered limestone) parcels. Riffault describes the cuvée as 'fruit in its finest finesse', balanced by demi-muid lees ageing.
What it pairs with
- Roast pike-perch with beurre blanc Loire freshwater fish in butter sauce meets the wine's lees creaminess and saline lift.More wines for fish →
- Lobster ravioli Shellfish sweetness and creamy lees align; chalk minerality refreshes between bites.More wines for lobster →
- Gougères Burgundian cheese puffs and the wine's gentle oak weight; Gruyère meets saline mineral.More wines for aperitifs and small plates →
- Aged Comté Hazelnut crystallisation in 24+ month Comté finds the wine's creamy lees and fine spice.More wines for aged hard cheese →
With cheese
History
Les Chasseignes is one of the estate's six lieu-dit cuvées, sourced from calcaire lité (layered limestone). The cuvée was Stéphane Riffault's first to receive demi-muid lees ageing.
- 2005First vintage of Les Chasseignes bottled
Facts
- Producer
- Domaine Claude Riffault · visiting guide
- Grapes
- Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
- Classification
- Sancerre AOC
- Oak
- Fermented and aged in 500-litre oak demi-muids, mostly older, around 12 months on fine lees
- ABV
- 13.0%
- Price
- EUR 35 to 55 at retail
- Drinking window
- 2-12 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2005
- Biodynamic
- Biodynamic Practicing
- Organic
- ECOCERT
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Frequently asked about Sancerre Les Chasseignes
What does Riffault Les Chasseignes taste like?
Yellow apple, white peach, fine spice and chalk on the nose; lemon zest, stone fruit, creamy lees and saline mineral on the palate. Medium-bodied with high acidity and a long, layered finish.
When should I drink Les Chasseignes?
Drink between 2 and 12 years from vintage. The demi-muid lees ageing gives the wine textural depth that rewards 3 to 5 years in bottle.
Where is Les Chasseignes grown?
On calcaire lité (layered limestone) parcels in Sury-en-Vaux, biodynamically farmed since the early 2010s.
Is Riffault Les Chasseignes vegan?
Yes. The estate is biodynamic and uses no animal-derived fining agents.
Tags
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