François Chidaine - Montlouis sur Loire Les Epinays by Pierre Chidaine blanc 2022 MAGNUM (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:

Chidaine's 2022 Montlouis Les Épinays comes from a south-facing vineyard plot composed of clay, flint, and limestone. It opens with a complex, slightly reductive bouquet of white fruits, Anjou pear, acacia, and candied citrus, delicately enhanced by a hint of mandarin blossom. Medium- to full-bodied, it is structured and slightly austere, with a fleshy, layered fruit core supported by a subtle touch of gastronomic bitterness. The finish is long, intensely savory and briny, leaving a vivid impression of chalky dry extracts. Aged for eight months in a combination of wine globes (40%) and large barrels (60%), this distinctive cuvée is bottled exclusively in magnums.

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

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.