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:
  - 2004: Pale gold, A star bright pale gold. Floral fruity nose, perfumed with pear, magnolia and hints of rhubarb. Very well structured mouth, with flavours of passion fruit and persimmon, and notes of pale wood. Finishes very long on pear and peppermint.
  Ready: 2014, drink before 2044.
  Decant 1 hour before serving at 13°C.
  Suggested marriage:
  Saute chicken "oysters", baked rennet apples.
  17/20 - Guide Fleurus des Vins 2007
• 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)

Classement des Meilleurs Vins de France

2006: 15,5 /20 (2008 edition)
2005: 16.5 /20 (2007 edition)
2004:   8 /10    (2006 edition)

Decanter

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

Le Guide GaultMillau

2005: 17 /20 Nice softness and tenderness (2008)

Guide Bettane & Dessauve

2005: 15 /20  (2008 edition)

Guide Fleurus des Vins

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