92 Vinous Media
The 2022 Les Chailloux may be tender at first with the flesh of the warm vintage, but it never becomes large. It has ripe orchard fruits and then ties into a good bitterness from flint soils. A little festive oak spice shows through on the finish. This layered, interesting wine is not simply about sensory pleasure but will give you something to think about. - By Rebecca Gibb MW on July 2024

Terroir 2: Silex
Les Chailloux comes from 15-45-year-old vines from a unique site in the village of Sury-en-Vaux. While silex soils (Flint) are common in the neighboring Pouilly-Fumé and the eastern edge of Sancerre, it is fairly scare in the northwestern part of Sancerre. Stéphane Riffault farms about 1 hectare of vines in this lieu-dit, a more profoundly mineral, smoky and tightly-wound wine capable of aging gracefully for many years.  Aged on the lees for 10 months in large, neutral French oak barrels.

Vine Age:  Up to 53
Farming: Certified organic and biodynamic
Soils: Kimmeridgian limestone (Terre Blanches) & Caillottes
Winemaking: Hand harvested, natural yeast fermentation in stainless steel tanks. 8 months in concrete tanks.