Olga Raffault - Champ-Chenin Chinon Blanc 2018 (750ml)
Price: $45.00
| Producer | Olga Raffault |
| Country | France |
| Region | Loire Valley |
| Subregion | Chinon |
| Varietal | Chenin Blanc |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Sku | 5131 |
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100% Chenin Blanc. There is a scant amount of Chenin Blanc grown in Chinon compared to Cabernet Franc. Some of the oldest vines are in Raffault's one-hectare monopole called Champ Chenin, a particularly limestone-rich patch of ground due west of Les Picasses. Like all Raffault vines, these are farmed organically and harvested by hand. The Chenin is gently whole-clusted-pressed for 3 hours; fermented with native yeasts in tank at cool temperatures; and aged on its lees in tank, without malolactic fermentation and with occasional stirring, until bottling in the year after the vintage. Champ-Chenin is easily one of the most mineral, powerful and age-worthy Chenins out there. Its production is miniscule.
Wine Advocate: 90 Points
The 2018 Chinon Champ-Chenin offers a pure, fresh and dense, well-concentrated lemon and stony bouquet that is still very young. Round and juicy on the palate, this is a full-bodied, intense and balanced Chenin Blanc from clay-limestone soils. Fermented with whole berries and pressed very gently, this is a filigreed, minerally fresh and persistently salty Chinon with fine phenolic grip and structure on the finish. Ripe pear aromas on the aftertaste. The 2018 already drinks quite well, but like Riesling, it will benefit from further bottle aging.
Vinous: 90 Points
On the nose, lots of honeysuckle, white pepper and understated orchard fruit. Fleshy peach and apricot on the palate, with attractive underlying saltiness throughout. Friendly, open and straightforward.
