La Grange Tiphaine – Montlouis-sur-Loire Pet Nat

The biodynamically farmed 15 hectare estate is spread over the appellations of Montlouis-sur-Loire, Touraine and Touraine-Amboise, where old vines côt (malbec), cabernet franc, grolleau, chenin blanc and sauvignon blanc fully express their potential. In the winery, the work is very precise and measured, with micro cuvée vinifications and élevage in concrete vats and old casks. Indigenous yeasts are used for the fermentations, and the juices are transported by gravity, with gentle extractions and long macerations to follow. The use of sulphites is judicious and no other inputs, or interventionist techniques are used. The whites are neither racked nor stirred. Praised by wine critics and loved by wine enthusiasts, La Grange Tiphaine has positioned itself as an ”incontournable” (essential) estate to discover and to understand the wines of the Loire Valley.

Biodynamic. Montlouis-sur-Loire Pétillant Naturel (= Pét Nat or Méthode Ancestrale which all mean Natural Sparkling wine). 100% chenin. Hand-harvested. Vinified with indigenous yeasts. When only 14 g or so of sugar are left, the wine is bottled, and aged a minimum of 18 months before being disgorged. Very low sulfite.

Deep golden in colour, hinting at the gorgeous wine that lies within. Beautifully complex aromas of toast, cinnamon, maple, hazelnut, pecan and praline, with pure lemon and yellow apple fruit. There's a reassuring density to the mousse and mouthfeel, putting forward honey, peach, cooked pineapples and bruised apple notes. This is delicious, I love it. it's such a pure expression of Chenin Blanc. Apple pie, pastry, honey and plum. It's a serious wine, that also just happens to be a pét nat. Full and oily, with sublimely ripe fruit. Some texture, fine fizz, the acidity is so well balanced and long. (95 Decanter)

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‘‘The nose is explosive on quince paste, marzipan, seringa, lemon-verbena, a mix of Chenin and autolytic notes. The palate is first broad and dense to become sleeker and saltier to finish with smoke and iodine. The bubbles are remarkably creamy and lingering. This wine could be cellared a year or so without problem. If you open it today, serve it in an all-purpose wine glass, not too cold, and enjoy it with roasted poultry, grilled rock fishes and soft-press cheese aged for 6 months or so.’’ (Pascaline Lepeltier)

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