Claude Riffault Sancerre Les Boucauds 2021 – 750ml Redneck Wine Company

92pts Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

The 2021 Sancerre Les Boucauds is an assemblage of several parcels of the eponymous lieu-dit that has clay-based marl at the bottom of the slope and becomes richer in Kimmeridgian fossils and limestone as the slope rises in altitude. Aged in barrels for 10 months, this is another very attractive Sancerre of the vintage that opens with more discreet, refined and coolish tropical fruit on the elegant, pure and balanced, finely mineral/iodine-like nose. On the palate, this is a pure and tensioned, very mineral and energetic yet harmonious and textured Sancerre with concentration, fine tannins and playful and vivacious yet ripe and fine acidity. Lime and grapefruit juice, kiwi and gooseberry as well as passion fruit seed aromas populate the finish and aftertaste of this very elegant Riffault classic that was produced according to the biodynamic rules of the (French) Biodyvin group. 13% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted in March 2023. Best After 2023

92pts Vinous

The tank sample of the 2021 Sancerre Les Boucauds is lightly hazy as it is still awaiting its light filtration before bottling. This large lieu-dit with differing proportions of clay on limestone brings a good sense of weight in the mouth; the richness is thanks to the deeper clays at the bottom of the sloping vineyard. While the electric acidity of 2021 comes through on the finish, the richness of the palate envelops and balances the acidity. Expect elderflower, just-ripe pineapple and crisp apple flavors on the tension-filled finish.

91pts Wine Spectator

An intriguing white, with sweet buttercream and heather notes overlaying green plum and Key lime on the juicy palate. Floral, with tightly coiled and mouthwatering acidity racing through the zingy finish. Drink now through 2026.

About the Winery

Domaine Claude Riffault, which has been family-owned and run for five generations, is now in the hands of Claude’s son Stéphane who is working the soil in a much more organic fashion than his father. Chemical herbicides are no longer used on the parcels and there is a heavy weed cover in most of the parcels. The family owns 33 different (and quite small) plots on steep hillsides in four different villages. Part of the vineyard is made up of limestone soil which produces while vines with great fruit and explosive aromas. They also own a smaller amount of vines on flint soil which produces wines of incredible minerality and precision. The vines are ll vinified by plot and by soil type before some are assembled to make a small number of bottlings.