François Chidaine - Montlouis sur Loire Les Grillonnières by Alice Chidaine 2023 (sec)
95/100
RVF
"A great Montlouis that perfectly combines richness, freshness, and delicacy!"
Les Grillonnières reveals a vibrant freshness with hints of lemon and lime, underpinned by subtle minerality. Produced from century-old vines, this Montlouis charms with its rich aromas of yellow fruit and delicate flowers, and its remarkable balance between richness, smoothness, and liveliness. Ideal as an aperitif or with fine cuisine.
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Eye
Clear and brilliant color
Nose
Pure, delicate, and fresh bouquet with aromas of yellow fruit, floral notes, lemon and lime zest, and delicate minerality.
Mouth
Intense and concentrated, refined, delicate mineral acidity, fine tannins, refreshing iodine finish
Serve
Decant at 11-12°C
Open
1 hour before
Drink before
2036+
Food and wine pairings
Enjoy as an aperitif, with sea bass, sole, lobster, seafood platters, goat's cheese...
Bettane & Desseauve
Rated estate (2026 guide) 4 stars (Producers of very high quality, those who are the pride of French vineyards)
About the estate:
François Chidaine, one of the leaders of the Montlouis wine revival, brings out all the nuances of each plot of land, from flinty clay to white Tuffeau chalk, using biodynamic farming methods. Reviving around ten hectares of Vouvray vineyards on the other bank, this winemaker, who is well supported by his wife Manuela, can now also count on his children Alice and Pierre, who have joined the estate. These great gastronomic wines improve with age.
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate
Rated Recommended (Wine producer recommended by Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate)
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Wine rating (2025 guide) 95/100 (2022 vintage)
Rated estate (2026 guide) 3 stars (These represent the excellence of French vineyards. The best terroirs cultivated by the greatest winemakers. Tasting their wine is always a magical moment.)
About the estate:
Since his beginnings in 1989, François Chidaine has become a major player in the Loire Valley white wine scene, an outstanding winemaker now revered by many other vintners. He is one of those who brought Montlouis, his original stronghold, to prominence. In the early 2000s, he expanded into Vouvray, notably taking over the Clos Baudoin estate from the Poniatowski family. With the help of his wife Manuela, François has continuously refined his winemaking and aging techniques, carrying out highly demanding work in the vineyards, which have been 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 which, as they are vinified outside their appellation zone, cannot claim this designation. The range consists of blends from different plots (Choisilles, Argiles, Tuffeaux, Moelleux) and unique lieux-dits (Clos du Breuil, Les Bournais, Clos Habert, Baudoin). The sparkling fruitiness of these wines requires a few years of cellaring to open up and reveal their full potential. This estate is a must for any lover of the great expressions of Chenin from the Loire Valley. The transition to his children Pierre and Alice is going smoothly.
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