2019 Francois Chidaine Montlouis Grillonieres

From 90+-year-old vines on clay soils with flint topping a bedrock made of tuff (a soft, white limestone), the 2019 Montlouis sur Loire Les Grillonnières by Alice Chidaine displays a bright and vital citrus color and opens with a pure, delicate and fresh bouquet that intertwines fresh lemon with chalky notes in a very delicate yet substantial and really fascinating, refined manner. Vinified with indigenous yeasts in demi-muids for 11 months, this is a full-bodied, intense and concentrated yet refined and even filigreed Chenin with delicate mineral acidity, fine tannins and a sustainable structure with intense and refreshing iodine length. This is a fascinating, complex yet weightless and elegant Montlouis that is beautifully balanced and shouldn’t be served too cold. If you like Chablis or Burgundian Pinot Noir, you should try this one—but from a Burgundy glass. However, let the wine breathe for several hours, since it will become better and better, unfolding more and more of its beautiful nature. For me, this is a Must Buy. Tasted in March 2021.