La Grange Tiphaine – Montlouis-sur-Loire Chenin Clef de Sol

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. 100% Chenin blanc from vines ranging from 80-110 years old grown on clay & limestone. Grapes are hand harvested in several successive pickings to let the grapes having a sufficient level of maturity and quality. Grapes are directly pressed and then transferred into old oak barrels. The fermentation begins spontaneously slow down in winter and finishes in Summer. In total, the wine remains 10 months on the lees in barrels. The blend is made in tanks after ageing.

This wine draws its strong character from the old vines still thriving on limestone soil, as evidenced by the complexity of its bouquet mixing scents of pear, white peach, apricot, jasmine, honeysuckle and verbena. Broad-shouldered, featuring electric acidity and a mineral streak cutting through, delivering focus and precision. The structured and dense palate offers a silky mouthfeel and an exotic side, with ginger, Korean pear, persimmon and green almond notes running through the mineral-infused finish..

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