Pinon 2023 Vouvray "Silex Noir"

Our friend Julien Pinon produces sensational Vouvray at his estate in Vallée du Cousse and the 2023 Silex Noir is another superb example. From approximatley 40 year-old vines on soils of clay and black flint over limestone in the vineyards of Terné and Batailleries. "The 2023 has classic demi-sec expression on the nose, all sweet green apple, mint, pea shoots and white flowers. Beautifully textured and resonant on the palate, with a gentle cushion of residual sugar, lightly bitter, with lovely acidity too. Great harmony here, with firm acidity masking much of the sweetness, yielding a very pure and precise style, with beautiful freshness and poise. Delicious. The residual sugar is 16 g/l and the alcohol is 12.6%, says Julien." (Wine Doctor 6/24) Delicious now - decant a few hours in advance if possible - or cellar 20 to 30 years. Serve with rillettes and rillons, fish in sauce, lobster, langoustines and scallops, chicken in cream sauce, too.