L' Effraie

L' Effraie is a wine produced from vines aged under 50 years.

• APPELLATION:
  - White Coteaux du Loir dry to medium dry (see info per vintage)
• GRAPE VARIETY:
  - Chenin 100%.
• SOIL (TERROIR):
  - Clay with flint on tuffeau (limestone). Variation on clays and on the granulation of broken flint, sometimes sand.
  6 parcels located in 3 parishes.
• VITICULTURE:
  - Ground works : ploughing, earthing-up and hoeing. No weed killers.
  - Maximum yields 35 hl/ha. Manual harvest.
• VINIFICATION:
  - Natural fermentation in 1-3 year old barrels with a small proportion (1/4) of new oak. Ageing one year minimum in barrel. The terroirs are separated and barrels are assembled before bottling to produce the cuvée.
  - The final balance is the work of nature.
• TASTING:
  - 2007: A fine example of a Chenin wine. Golden, the chenin nose is full of complex and very typical scents of white fruits, white flowers, with a touch of minerality and hints of bracken, herb infusion and spices. The generous mouth unfolds smoothly and agreeably, and finishes with long and persistent suggestions of minerality and fruit.
  Maturity: 2013.
  Guide des Vins Bio 2010-2011
• SERVICE:
  - Open 1h before. Serve in carafe at 10-13°C.
  - Goes with: aperitif, roasted red mullet with walnut oil, carpaccio of white fish.
  See also: maturity period and food matches

PRESS REVIEWS

Robert Parker

2005: 90 /100
2004: 91 /100   (Wine Advocate #172)

Guide RVF - Les Meilleurs Vins de France

2007: 15,5 /20  (2010 ed.)
2006: 15,5 /20  (2008 ed.)
2005: 16.5 /20  (2007 ed.)

Decanter

Intense on the palate. Clean, pure fruit with good ripeness, great depth. (May 2002)

Guide des vins Gault Millau

2007: 16 /20  (2010 ed.)
2006: 16.5 /20  (2009 ed.)
2005: 17 /20 Nice softness and tenderness (2008)

Bettane & Dessauve

2007:  16 /20   (2010 ed.)
2006: 15.5 /20 (2009 ed.)
2005:  15 /20   (2008 ed.)

Guide Fleurus des Vins

2004: 17 /20  (2007 ed.)
A very attractive wine, possessing exemplary structure and of remarkable refinement.