Francois Chidaine 'Les Argiles' Vouvray 2009
One of the great winemakers of the Loire.

Only a few years ago, François Chidaine was being talked about as a 'winemaker to watch' in the Loire. This was probably based on a flurry of excellent vineyard acquisitions he was making at the time and perhaps also on his commitment to bio-dynamic farming and non-interventionist winemaking. Well, that transition is complete and already, François Chidaine is considered to be one of the great winemakers of the Loire Valley, if not France.

His wines show a combination of finesse, intensity, minerality and power which we only encounter in the great wines of France. Chidaine now sells out every bottle he makes within a few months of bottling, and we are lucky to receive these wines which remain some of the best values in the wine market today.

The 2009 Les Argiles shows tropical-tinged white peach and floral notes on the nose. Mountain stream purity on the palate, seemingly low acid, polished, viscous and round, with driving minerality to finish.