Domaine Riffault

Stéphane studied in Burgundy, and his brother, Benoît, married into the Sauzet family in Puligny-Montrachet and now makes the wines there. Therefore, It is no surprise that the approach here mirrors that in Burgundy, focusing on identifying and highlighting individual terroirs.

The grapes are hand-harvested and rigorously sorted before crushing and a light settling to retain a significant proportion of lees. This and extensive lees ageing allow Stéphane to produce the textural wines he enjoys. The whites' vinification and ageing occur in concrete tanks and large-format oak – demi-muids and foudres.

The red wines are also among the very best the region has to offer. They are typically made with a significant proportion of whole bunches, bringing a spicy, floral character and mid-palate richness to the wines. Importantly, yields are kept low to obtain a good level of ripeness.

In all colours, this is an excellent address for precise, delineated, and concentrated wines that go against the convention of easy-drinking Sancerre.