Claude Riffault - Sancerre 'Les Boucauds' Loire Valley, France 2020 Masterfully Crafted Pure Expression Sancerre from Certified Organic and Biodynamic Sauvignon Blanc Sourced in the Lieu-dit of Les Boucauds! Sourced from the premier blocks of the Les Boucauds, the 2020 Riffault Sancerre 'Les Boucauds' is easily one of the purest expressions of Sauvignon Blanc in the region. The iconic Kimmeridgian soil rich in limestone brings lift and energy to wine with aromas of crisp orchard fruit, delicate white flowers, crisp minerality, and zippy citrus, all balanced beautifully with the addition of 50% French Oak aging which really rounds out the wine adding nuance of toasted brioche and hazelnuts. A perennial favorite from another fantastic vintage for the region, and a must have for any lover of Sancerre. Newsletter Special Sale - $29.99 Vinous Media 92 Points - "The 2020 Les Boucauds is a Sancerre about precision and texture. It's a little reticent, having only been put in bottle several weeks before tasting, so don't expect much on the nose. There's clearly a lot of concentration and underlying power in the focused core. It's chalky and all sinew on the almost chewy, lengthy finish, giving it line and energy. The scent of almond croissant from barrel fermentation and lees time lingers alongside apple fruit. Really good stuff that will only get better with time in bottle." About The Estate: At barely 30 years old, Stéphane Riffault (Claude’s son and now the owner of the estate) is turning out Sancerre bottlings that are the envy of many producers twice his age. As David Schildknecht put it, “make no mistake: this address in the hamlet of Maison Salle (Sury-en-Vaux) is now one of the five or six most exciting estates in the Sancerre appellation.” Given that Stephane’s holdings represent 4 tenths of 1 percent of the appellation, this kid is clearly doing something right. The Terroir: Most of the domaine’s holdings are planted on the soft limestone soil called Terres Blanches with some parcels on Calliottes and Silex. Small, judicious uses of oak help to add length to the already precise, site-expressive, and vertical bottlings. All of the parcels are vinified separately, and with the exception of the rosé, all the wines are bottled unfiltered. Having studied and worked in Burgundy (and closely with Olivier Leflaive), it’s easy to see the Burgundian influence in Stéphane’s wines. The mastery of minerality standing shoulder–height with the wood is rarely duplicated in Sancerre. Regardless of his parcels’ exposition (many are south-facing), Riffault’s wines are always crisp and high-cut with a jeweled sort of delineation that speaks to the precision and attention these wines get. Chateau de Pitray - Premier Vin, Castillon, Cotes de Bordeaux 2018 WE91/D91/WA90-92 Decanter - 91 - "Well textured, velvety fruits sit on a firm and fresh palate. This is good quality, stretching out in the mouth with tannins that are fully supportive of the project, not getting in the way but cheerleading as the fruit takes its first steps. There is so much to enjoy in the smaller appellations this year." Newsletter Special - $12.99
Morgen Long - Chardonnay "Marine" Willamette Valley 2019 Long has found his own groove with Chardonnay, pursuing a leaner style, focused with lively acidity and an abundance of nuance. With such small production (only 295 cases) the attention to detail on these wines are paramount. Long has created a seriously amazing value, case-worthy, everyday drinking chardonnay, at $24.99 this is priced well below its level of quality and complexity. When people ask what we're drinking, this is surely on the list of favorites amongst the Plucky crew, we all agree Chardonnay from Willamette has a bright future. Tasting Notes: Complex aromas of fresh yellow flowers, green mango, guava, lemongrass, wet minerals, straw and hazelnuts. Ripe flavors with weight are more central than the crisp, shimmering minerality as good acidity melds into a soft texture and nice finish. Newsletter Special - $24.99
Cheers! -Alex Alexander Knechel - Certified Sommelier Wine Sales Manager - Plucky Wines alexanderknechel@pluckywines.com
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