François Chidaine - Montlouis sur Loire Les Choisilles 2022 (sec)

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

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

Decanter

About the wine:

The wine has a golden color and a citrus-forward nose with hints of lemon sorbet. On the palate, it is rich and round, barely dry with 3 g/l of residual sugar, and features a bright, pineapple-like sweetness. It is crisp and clean, with delightful freshness and a chalky minerality. It displays wonderful balance and elegance, with the light texture that Chenin achieves in Montlouis. The finish is savory and briny. Very pleasant to drink. The wine undergoes a long fermentation in 600-liter old oak barrels before resting on its lees in the same vessels for about six additional months.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Fermented and aged for eight months in demi-muids, the 2022 Montlouis-sur-Loire Les Choisilles is particularly flamboyant in this vintage. It opens with a lively bouquet of exotic fruits, ripe pear, flowers, spices, and a subtle hint of reduction. Medium- to full-bodied, it is concentrated and fleshy, framed by a delicate hint of gastronomic bitterness that lends it tension and complexity. The finish is long, deep, and layered. More structured and dense than the Clos du Breuil, its 2.6 grams of residual sugar contribute to its balance and promise graceful aging over the next 15 years.

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

About the wine:

With its fresh aromatic notes, Les Choisilles reveals itself with great finesse.

About the estate:

Since his debut in 1989, François Chidaine has become a major player in the world of Loire whites, an unparalleled winemaker now revered by many other vintners. He is among those who put Montlouis—his original stronghold—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 continually refined his winemaking and aging techniques, carrying out meticulous work in vineyards that have been certified biodynamic since 1999. We cannot praise highly enough the caliber achieved by the wines of this exceptional winemaker. The “Vins de France” wines are, in fact, Vouvrays that—because they are vinified outside their appellation zone—cannot bear the appellation name. The lineup consists of blends from various plots (Choisilles, Argiles, Tuffeaux, Moelleux) and single-vineyard wines (Clos du Breuil, Les Bournais, Clos Habert, Baudoin). The sparkling fruitiness of these wines requires a few years in the cellar to open up and fully reveal itself. An essential estate for any lover of the great Chenin expressions of the Loire Valley. The transition to his children, Pierre and Alice, is proceeding smoothly.