Riffault Sancerre Quarterons 2020

Riffault Sancerre Les Quarterons is a single variety Sauvignon Blanc from Sébastien Riffault, who founded his Loire estate in 2002 and works to biodynamic principles, respecting the biodiversity of his vineyards and making natural wines with no added oenological products. The vines are around thirty years old, on clay and limestone soils facing southeast and south. Sancerre's cool continental climate and its Kimmeridgian and flint soils are the source of the wine's tension and stony character, and the southerly exposure ripens the fruit fully. Riffault picks late, at high ripeness, and ferments with wild yeasts before ageing the wine on its lees, which builds a broader, more textured palate than a conventional Sancerre while preserving the mineral core. The colour is a deeper straw gold. The nose shows white fruits and citrus with a note of quince faintly reminiscent of cider, over chamomile and a touch of honey. The palate is dry, fresh and layered, with a flinty, saline finish. Serve at 9 to 11 degrees. It suits shellfish, grilled white fish and goat cheese.