François Chidaine - Les Grillonnières by Alice Chidaine 2019 (sec)

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

François Chidaine, one of the leading figures in the revival of Montlouis wines, brings out all the nuances of each vineyard plot—ranging from flinty clay to white Tuffeau chalk—using biodynamic farming methods. Revitalizing about ten hectares of Vouvray vineyards on the opposite bank, this winemaker—strongly supported by his wife Manuela—now also relies on his children Alice and Pierre, who have joined the estate. These fine wines for fine dining improve with age.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Made from vines over 90 years old growing on clay-flint soils overlying tuffeau rock, Alice Chidaine’s 2019 Montlouis-sur-Loire Les Grillonnières displays a lively, vibrant, and vibrant color and opens with a pure base, a delicate and fresh bouquet that blends fresh lemon with chalky notes in a very delicate yet substantial, truly fascinating, and refined manner. Vinified with indigenous yeasts in demi-muids for 11 months, this is a full-bodied Chenin, intense and concentrated yet refined and even delicate, with a delicate mineral acidity, fine tannins, and a lasting structure featuring an intense and refreshing iodine-like finish. This is a fascinating Montlouis—complex yet light and elegant—that is beautifully balanced and should not be served too cold. If you enjoy Chablis or Burgundian Pinot Noir, you should try this one, but in a Burgundy glass. However, let the wine breathe for several hours, as it will only get better and better, increasingly revealing its beautiful character. For me, this is a must-buy.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

A beautiful Chenin, crafted with both finesse and vitality by Alice Chidaine, François’s daughter. It showcases the pure essence of Chenin, executed with exceptional delicacy. It has a lovely, flavorful finish.

About the estate:

Since his debut in 1989, François Chidaine has become a leading figure in Loire white wines, an unparalleled winemaker now revered by many other vintners. He is among those who put Montlouis, his home region, on the map. In the early 2000s, he expanded his operations in Vouvray, notably by acquiring Clos Baudoin from the Poniatowski family. With the help of his wife Manuéla, François has continuously refined his winemaking and aging techniques, carrying out meticulous work in vineyards certified biodynamic since 1999. We cannot praise highly enough the level achieved by the wines of this exceptional winemaker. The “Vins de France” are in fact Vouvrays that, having been vinified outside their appellation zone, cannot claim the appellation. The range consists of blends from various plots (Choisilles, Argiles, Tuffeaux, Moelleux) and unique lieux-dits (Clos du Breuil, Les Bournais, Clos Habert, Baudoin). The sparkling fruit of these wines requires a few years in the cellar to open up and reveal itself fully. An essential estate for any lover of the great Loire expressions of Chenin. The transition to his children, Pierre and Alice, is proceeding smoothly.