Pichot 'Coteau de la Biche' Chenin Blanc Sec, Vouvray, Loire Valley, France 2023
The Pichot family is one of the oldest in Vouvray, with origins as viticulturists and restaurateurs dating back to 1739. The family cellars are located in the charming village of Vouvray, in caverns hewn from the rolling hills once quarried to provide stone for the grand châteaux of the Loire. Vineyard Brands The Coteau de la Biche vineyard itself dates to 1770 and came into the Pichot family in 1930 when Gérard Pichot married the daughter of its owner — the name referencing the legend of a doe who once took refuge in the estate's cellars. Domaine Pichot was formally established in 1996, uniting three historic family vineyards: Coteau de la Biche, Le Peu de la Moriette, and Le Marigny. In an appellation long dominated by négociants, the Pichots remain among its most authentic grower-producers.
- WINEMAKER: Jean-Claude and Christophe Pichot
- FARMING: Lutte raisonnée. Certified Sustainable (Haute Valeur Environnementale, OCACIA). Vegan.
- VARIETY: 100% Chenin Blanc.
- TERROIR: The Coteau de la Biche vineyard is situated in the prime south-east facing Vallée de Nouys, long considered among the best sites in Vouvray for drier styles of wine with great finesse. The neighboring Clos Baudoin vineyard lies barely a stone's throw away. Soils are clayey limestone. Vines are 15–30 years old, planted at 6,600 vines per hectare.
- VINIFICATION: Harvested by hand and machine. Pneumatically pressed; cold settled for 48 hours at 5°C. 90% fermented in stainless steel tanks, 10% in neutral 400-liter oak vats, at 16–18°C. Filtered with a tangential filter belonging to the domaine.
- AGING: Bottled in March or April to preserve freshness, on the domaine's own bottling line.
- TASTING NOTES: Dry and fruit-driven, with aromas of citrus, pear, apple, and white lilac, evolving toward tangerine and pink grapefruit. Good concentration and fine tannic structure with a chalky finish; very satisfying and succulent, with a lovely smoky note.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Oysters, red mullet, soft cheeses, seafood preparations, spiced poultry.
- SCORES: 90 pts. Vinous (Rebecca Gibb MW, 2020 vintage) 90 pts. Wine Spectator (2022 vintage)
Pichot 'Coteau de la Biche' Chenin Blanc Sec, Vouvray, Loire Valley, France 2023
The Pichot family is one of the oldest in Vouvray, with origins as viticulturists and restaurateurs dating back to 1739. The family cellars are located in the charming village of Vouvray, in caverns hewn from the rolling hills once quarried to provide stone for the grand châteaux of the Loire. Vineyard Brands The Coteau de la Biche vineyard itself dates to 1770 and came into the Pichot family in 1930 when Gérard Pichot married the daughter of its owner — the name referencing the legend of a doe who once took refuge in the estate's cellars. Domaine Pichot was formally established in 1996, uniting three historic family vineyards: Coteau de la Biche, Le Peu de la Moriette, and Le Marigny. In an appellation long dominated by négociants, the Pichots remain among its most authentic grower-producers.
- WINEMAKER: Jean-Claude and Christophe Pichot
- FARMING: Lutte raisonnée. Certified Sustainable (Haute Valeur Environnementale, OCACIA). Vegan.
- VARIETY: 100% Chenin Blanc.
- TERROIR: The Coteau de la Biche vineyard is situated in the prime south-east facing Vallée de Nouys, long considered among the best sites in Vouvray for drier styles of wine with great finesse. The neighboring Clos Baudoin vineyard lies barely a stone's throw away. Soils are clayey limestone. Vines are 15–30 years old, planted at 6,600 vines per hectare.
- VINIFICATION: Harvested by hand and machine. Pneumatically pressed; cold settled for 48 hours at 5°C. 90% fermented in stainless steel tanks, 10% in neutral 400-liter oak vats, at 16–18°C. Filtered with a tangential filter belonging to the domaine.
- AGING: Bottled in March or April to preserve freshness, on the domaine's own bottling line.
- TASTING NOTES: Dry and fruit-driven, with aromas of citrus, pear, apple, and white lilac, evolving toward tangerine and pink grapefruit. Good concentration and fine tannic structure with a chalky finish; very satisfying and succulent, with a lovely smoky note.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Oysters, red mullet, soft cheeses, seafood preparations, spiced poultry.
- SCORES: 90 pts. Vinous (Rebecca Gibb MW, 2020 vintage) 90 pts. Wine Spectator (2022 vintage)