Claude Riffault
- country
- France
- region
- AOC Sancerre, Loire
- vineyard area
- 15.5 ha
- Floor
- Marl, ferruginous mica, Kimmeridge limestone with limestone and sedimentary rock, flint
- Grape varieties
- Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir
- Management
- Biodynamic
The Claude Riffault winery, now run by son Stéphane and his wife Bénedictine Riffault, is one of the “rising stars” alongside Vacheron and Gaudry in Sancerre. Stéphane studied in Beaune and learned from Olivier Leflaive. The connection to Burgundy is very close, his wife comes from there and his brother runs the well-known winery Etienne Sauzet. After his practical experience in Burgundy, Stéphane went to Bordeaux and worked at one of the most prestigious wineries, Château Angelus. In 2001 he returned to the tranquil town of Sury-en-Vaux near Sancerre and fundamentally reorganized his father's winery.
Part of this change was the switch to initially organic farming and, by 2021, to biodynamic viticulture with BIODYVIN certification. Stéphane deliberately phased out some of the cuvées introduced by his father in order to be able to respond even more specifically to the constantly changing characteristics of the terroir with the monoparcelles. Claude Riffault's wines are characterized by a unique style. They are fruity and at the same time clearly structured and pure. In contrast to many current wines from the region, they are neither overshadowed by reduction notes nor characterized by wood, even though they are aged in wooden barrels. The winemaker uses perennial tonneaux to achieve the desired texture.
The fruit quality of the wines is particularly remarkable and is reminiscent of old orchards with historic apple and pear varieties. Claude Riffault's wines are fleshy, almost opulent and sensual, yet minerally, clear and open. The precise and ripe acidity is complemented by the spice of the Sancerres, which reflects the terroir with its rocks, herbs and tart citrus notes. The wines can be enjoyed at a young age, but especially with the Monoparcelles it will be interesting to see how they will develop over time.
The domaine covers 15.5 hectares of vineyards, where over 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 19% Pinot Noir are grown. The Riffaults are fortunate that their vineyards are located on all three soil formations typical of Sancerre and reflect their typicalities, from the fruity Terres blanches to the robust Caillottes and the rare Silex. Stéphane Riffault has phased out some of his father's cuvées in order to concentrate on the precise representation of the terroirs with monoparcelles. His wines stand for precision and expressiveness.
