2022 Domaine Vigneau-Chevreau Vouvray Sec 'Cuvée Silex'

100% organic (certified) and Biodynamic (uncertified) Chenin Blanc from 40 year old dry farmed vines on tuffeau and argillaceous (clay) chalks with some parcels composed of Silex and covered by Perruches, Touraine’s flinty stones. Native yeasts. A small portion of the wine ferments in used oak demi-muid, but most sees stainless steel. Minimal SO2 additions and no fining.  The soil of this wine sometimes gives hints of “flint”, emphasizing its mineral character, along with a fruity undertone from the ripeness of the grapes. Brilliant yellow gold, aromas of apple, pear and citrus fruit, chamomile tea and smoke; ample and round on the palate, refreshing acidity in the finish. Feels dry with just a touch of sweetness, balanced by the natural acidity. Outstanding with seafood such as scallops, langoustines and white fish in a delicate sauce.

Domaine Vigneau-Chevreau has been a family-run estate since 1875. The 33-hectare Domaine consists of classic, regional soils made up of tuffeau, clay, and silex. The latter of these soils bears an abundance of flinty stones on the surface and is most favorable to the cultivation of Chenin Blanc, giving the wine its aromatic diversity of ripe quince, baked apples and acacia honey. The Domaine is certified organic by Ecocert, and the vineyards are in fact tended biodynamically, which involves even stricter standards than organic wine-growing. Although this method involves much more work and considerably lower yields, the benefits to the long term condition of the vineyards, and therefore the quality of the wines, are dramatic.