Description

2019 and 2020 are back-to-back stellar vintages in the Vouvray-Montlouis ‘hood.  Francoise Chidaine  is considered the long-time maestro along both sides of the river.  Don’t miss this one!

Les Choisilles (“the choice or chosen”) is an estate blend of bunches left to hang longer than usual from various organic and biodynamic farmed  Montlouis vineyards on chalky-limestone, clay and silex.  Nonetheless, the wine is vinified completely dry.

The nose is somewhat more tropical than the other dry bottlings, with some truffle, candied citrus peel and quince paste. Quite full in the mouth, it nonetheless possesses bracing acidity and good minerality that goes on and on…

“Chidaine’s 2019 Montlouis sur Loire Les Choisilles is deep, pure, fresh and refined on the nose but still very young, with lemon leaf, chalk and sur lie aromas. On the palate, this is a rich and concentrated Chenin, but it reveals remarkable freshness and energy. It is a bit unfair to compare it to the 2018, which has a year more of development, but I have to, and I am still amused by the 2019, which lifts Les Choisilles to unknown heights. The salinity and mineral grip are really beautiful here in the finish, and I believe the wine can age for two decades. Highly attractive pineapple flavors on the aftertaste. Tasted in March 2021. Drink 2024-2040. – 96 points, Wine Advocate (SR) – August 5, 2021