François Chidaine - Montlouis sur Loire Les Choisilles 2022 (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.

Decanter

About the wine:

The wine has a golden color and a citrus-driven 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 fruitiness with a sweetness reminiscent of pineapple. It is crisp and clean, with delightful freshness and a chalky minerality. 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 the lees in the same vessels for about six additional months.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Vinified 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 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.