Claude Riffault Mosaïque Calcaire Sancerre Blanc 2022

Fresh & Mineral

Stéphane Riffault of Domaine Claude Riffault is turning out Sancerre bottlings that are the envy of many top producers in the region.

The work in the vineyards is essential for producing excellent quality wines. As experienced winegrowers, Claude Riffault sees it as their role to create the best possible balance between soil and plant, depending on the climatic conditions. Claude Riffault has 13.5 hectares of vineyards in total, of which 10.5 hectares are planted with Sauvignon Blanc and the remaining 3 hectares with Pinot Noir. The vineyards are spread over 6 parcels north of Sancerre, namely: Les Boucauds, Les Chasseignes, Les Denisottes, Les Chailloux, Les Desmalets and La Noue.

The grapes of Sauvignon Blanc for the “Mosaïque Calcaire” come from several plots with an array of clay, lime and marl soils formed during the Kimmeridgian in the Jurassic period in Sancerre. This soil ensures a deep implantation of the vines and gives richness to the wine, while the limestone subsoil and sediments of small shells provide a fine minerality. While most French wine regions suffered from heat, drought and hail this year, and even a little frost in some areas, Sancerre experienced good rainfall in June, which enabled the vineyards not to suffer too much from the water stress that was a common feature across France in 2022.

The aromas range from gooseberries to lime to passion fruit, which brings with it a touch of the exotic. The wine was aged mostly in stainless steel tanks (88%), and in French oak barrels (12%). Due to the short ageing time in barrels, it is ready to be enjoyed now.

The good structure and freshness go particularly well with fish and seafood - and it is also rightly served with dishes with asparagus