2023 Francois Chidaine Vin de France Vouvray Les Argiles, Loire Valley

From old-vine, biodynamically farmed Chenin Blanc, this wine bursts with honeyed apples, peach compote, chamomile, and jasmine. A savoury mineral undercurrent supports its sensational, layered texture, unfolding with depth and precision into a long, elegant finish.

94 points, Victoria Daskal Decanter 

From clay rich parcels around Vouvray, Les Argiles leans into the more textural, generous side of Chenin Blanc, and François Chidaine lets that character come through with clarity. Farmed biodynamically and handled with minimal intervention, this Vin de France release keeps the focus on site, where clay brings breadth while the underlying limestone still provides lift.

The 2023 vintage is open and expressive. Ripe pear, quince and yellow apple lead, with a layer of lemon zest adding brightness. There is a gentle honeyed note already forming, alongside beeswax and a soft spice edge, with a subtle earthy, mineral thread running through it.

On the palate it is medium to full bodied with a broader, more rounded feel than some of Chidaine’s more linear wines. The fruit is generous and textured, but a line of acidity keeps it from feeling heavy. Flavours move into savoury territory, almond, spice and a faint saline note, finishing long with a slightly grippy, mineral edge.

Winemaking follows Chidaine’s usual philosophy, native ferment, careful élevage and a hands off approach that allows both vineyard and vintage to speak.

This is a great match for dishes with a bit more weight. Think grilled prawns with garlic butter, a seafood pie, or roast snapper with fennel and citrus. It also works beautifully with richer, flavour driven plates like a creamy leek and potato dish, a savoury tart with caramelised onion, or even salt cod croquettes, the wine’s texture and acidity keeping everything balanced.

Drinking beautifully now, it will continue to evolve over the next eight to twelve years, developing more honeyed, nutty complexity while holding its structure.