Les Argiles 2022
Francois Chidaine

Our Tasting Note: Clay top soils, no limestone, intense acidity, with fresh, ripe citrus of lime and lemon, some floral notes, lanolin, and honey, intense but elegant weighted fruit, long, resonating finish.

100% Chenin Blanc
Winemaking:  Hand harvested, barrel fermented, barrel aged, Indigenous yeast fermented, Large format barrel aged, Organically Grown Grapes

From 15-50 year old vines, this wine takes its name from the fact that the vineyards are predominantly clay based with some chalky limestone, giving the wines a more forward profile than some other cuvées in the lineup.

Chidaine’s estate grown Vouvray produced from parcels throughout the great vineyards of the Clos Baudoin property, Les Argiles is normally vinified dry. Notes of honey, citrus, pear and apple are present in the nose with just a hint of caramel. Full-bodied in the mouth, but fresh with lively acidity, this is world class chenin at an unbeatable price.
Apparently there was a little known rule in Vouvray that requires wines from the appellation to be aged entirely in the village. Currently Chidaine along with another well known Montlouis producer are in legal proceedings to have the appellation status reinstated for their Vouvray wines. Beginning in 2014, this wine is bottled without the appellation, but is very much the same wine that we have come to know and love from this fine estate.