Francois Pinon Vouvray Les Trois Argiles 2019

100% Chenin Blanc. "Trois Argiles" or "three clays" is named for the 3 parcels of Pinon's most clay-forward soils which go into this demi-sec bottling. They lie on an east-facing plateau and tend to be cooler and slower-ripening thanks to the water-retaining soils. Overall the Pinon vines average 45 years old and have been certified organic since 2007. The bunches are harvested by hand, rigorously sorted and directly pressed. The juice flows by gravity into underground tanks for a spontaneous native-yeast fermentation that lasts 2-3 months and stops naturally in Pinon's cold cellar. The wine is aged on its fine lees for 4-5 months in a variety of old oak ranging from 500-liter demi-muids to 20-hectoliter foudres. "The Vouvray “Trois Argiles” cuvée from Domaine Pinon is a Demi-Sec, though this information does not appear on either the front or back labels. This is absolutely gorgeous, with the beautifully complex bouquet soaring from the glass in a blaze of sweet quince, fresh pineapple, lemon, citrus blossoms, a beautiful base of soil tones, citrus peel and a topnote of lanolin. On the palate the wine is bright, full-bodied, focused and complex, with beautiful depth of fruit at the core, superb soil signature, a lovely spine of acidity, great balance and cut and a long, vibrant and gently sweet finish. I absolutely love the backend lift and grip here! This is a brilliant wine in the making. 2024-2080. " - 94 Points John Gilman, View From The Cellar July 2024