La Grange Tiphaine – Touraine Sauvignon Blanc Trinqu’Âmes

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. The vineyards are located in a perfect spot for Sauvignon Blanc: between Amboise and Oisly, the sandy silex rich soil over clay allows a ripe expression of the grape with loosing its vibrancy. Hand-harvested. Indigenous yeasts. Aged 6 months in cement tanks.

Don't expect a lean, anemic, expression of Sauvignon blanc. Think more a baby expression of good Pouilly-Fumé. You get a bouquet of sage, lemongrass, Tahitian grapefruit with hints of white pepper and passion fruit. The palate has some texture and length allowing a lot of possible pairing, from green tomato & cucumber gazpacho to baked clams to kale Caesar salad and young goat cheese.

Bright and juicy, this stony, sleek wine streams pear skin, mirabelle plum, mandarin, lemongrass along the slender palate, with a base of buzzy stoniness, and a brisk acidity to loft. The finish lingers with white grapefruit pith and ample salinity, enticing another glass. With delicacy and potency at once, this smart Touraine is drinking beautifully now.
92 Gismondi (2020 vintage by Treve Ring)

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