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Part of our ongoing effort to get everyone to drink more Chenin Blanc!
“You have to look to the historical collections of regional leaders Foreau and Huet to find comparable consistently high quality, making it clear that Chidaine is one of the world's finest craftsmen in the medium of white wine” David Schildknecht, Vinous
“Chidaine started his venture in 1989, when he took over after his dad. Since then, he caused a mini-revolution in this tiny appellation, in many ways that the contemporary history of Montlouis-sur-Loire, facing Vouvray just 2 miles as the crow flies across the river, is the history of his. Organic since 1992 and biodynamic since 1999 he shaped this appellation to be a natural wine heaven, with a swag of winemakers following his footsteps.” Importer note
Short note: The two main differences here are the origin and residual sugar. Montluis comes from flinty soil, wich give sthe wine a more airy style compared with the classic limestone of Vouvray, which has more depth and breadth. Then, the Montluis is a “demi-sec”, with just a hair of residual sugar to balance the wine. At just 10 g/l though, the wine is drier than most Champagnes you will come across! The Vouvray is fermented dry.
A great study in soils and style…
 Francois Chidaine Montlouis les Tuffeaux 2018
Sale $34.99
94 pts Vinous / 94 pts Wine Spectator
“The 2018 Montlouis Les Tuffeaux is explosive in the glass. Soaring citrus, floral pear and slate-infused aromatics lead into a rich, creamy palate that fills out beautifully. The 2018 is generous and so inviting, and yet remains airy, with beams of salinity that frame the subtle, nuanced finish. A wine of understatement and class, the 2018 is just gorgeous today. The balance of sweetness, acid and structure is compelling, with the sugar present and yet so well-integrated, in the wine’s magical balance.” VN
“There is a lot of wine here, with papaya, yellow plum and honeysuckle flavors. Shows incredible harmony where hints of richness are overtaken by the minerally edge that emerges midpalate, while the acidity runs through seamlessly, providing support. Fine purity, with great tension between the sweet fruit and nervy backbone. “ WS
 Francois Chidaine Vouvray les Argiles 2018
Sale $34.99
94 pts Vinous
“The 2018 Montlouis Les Argiles is bright, finely cut and remarkably nuanced. White orchard fruit, chalk, mint and white pepper give the Argiles a striking aromatic upper register. The Argiles, which emerges from clay-rich soils, impresses more with energy than the breadth I expected. Perhaps that will develop in bottle. This chiseled, finely-cut Chenin has a ton to offer. Bright saline notes punctuate the finish.”
Supply is Very limited. Reply to order. The wines arrive Tuesday. | 
