Domaine Pichot Vouvray trie de grains nobles Les Larmes de Bacchus 1996

Domaine Pichot Vouvray trie de grains nobles Les Larmes de Bacchus is a mature botrytised Chenin Blanc from a single hectare of old vines above the village of Vouvray.

Vouvray's premier coteau rises directly behind the village, its thin clay and flint topsoil sitting on the tuffeau limestone into which the region's cellars are dug. Domaine Pichot draws this cuvee from one hectare of old, high-density vines on that slope, and makes it only when botrytis arrives evenly enough to justify picking berry by berry: seven or more passes through the rows, and a yield of one to two hectolitres per hectare. Fermentation stopped naturally at 160 grams per litre of residual sugar. Chenin Blanc of this kind is built for decades rather than years, and bottles of this age come from the domaine's own cellar stock rather than from the open market.

Long in bottle, the sweetness has settled back and the acidity leads; drink it with blue cheese, aged Comte or on its own, and serve at around 10 to 12 degrees.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.