Pale straw to gold in the glass; lemon citrus to grapefruit and floral on the nose; the wine has a chalky minerality and creamy mouthfeel. This is a medium-bodied wine, nicely structured with balanced acidity and fruit. The wine was aged in 10-year-old large-format neutral oak casks, so the fruit character is prominent.
While the Chinon AOC in Loire Valley is mostly known for its stellar Cab Franc, present-day wine grower Rodolphe’s father, Jean-Maurice Raffault, was the first to produce vineyard-designated Chenin Blanc in Chinon. The tradition continues.
This is an excellent white wine from a legendary family whose vine tending dates back 1400 years. This level of wine growing can’t fully be taught, but rather must be experienced. Kudos to the Raffault family for carrying on this tradition of excellence.