Etienne Sauzet
Very taut and racy wines of excellent quality. The wines are made by son-in-law Benoît Riffault, who has brought a certain precision to this 15ha domaine. The vintage started on 12th September, with yields 50-70% lower than normal at potential alcohols of 12-12.5%. The wines were not chaptalised. After malolactic fermentation, total acidity was 5g/l (measured in sulphuric acid) and pH 3.25 Indeed, Benoît notes acidities have improved since the 1970s, when it would have been akin to pH3.40 because the practice of adding potassium to the soil, which was used as a fertiliser, and reduced acidity in the wines, ceased long ago. Oak is used sparingly, with 10-15% for the village and 30-35% for the premiers crus.