Domaine Franois Chidaine Vin de France Moelleux 2016

Manuela Chidaine described 2016 as a vintage from hell. Stemming from the severe frost that blanketed the central Loire on 27th April, this domaine lost an astonishing 90% of its forthcoming crop. By harvest time, this translated to an average yield of 5 hl/ha. As such, the domaine could only realise four cuves from their Montlouis/Vouvray vineyards. This delicious moelleux is one wine that made the cut.

The wine is a blend of strictly sorted, late-harvested and botrytised grapes culled from parcels in Montlouis and Vouvray (hence the Vin de France appellation). It was raised for 11 months in used 600-litre barrels and bottled unfiltered. Ending up with just 35 g/L residual sugar, it is a glorious riot of quince, citrus oils and roasted pineapple bound by scintillating freshness and fabulous length of flavour. Theres also some serious complexity on the crunchy finish by way of grapefruit, smoke and spice nuances. Its a wine to excite a top Mosel producer!