La Grange Tiphaine

History of the La Grange Tiphaine estate

The history of the estate dates back to the late 19th century, when the Delecheneau family settled in Touraine. As early as 1941, a remarkable feat for the time, the estate bottled its entire production directly. Mixed farming was practised until the late 1970s, when Jackie Delecheneau took the helm and gradually replanted higher-quality grape varieties. It was his son Damien who, together with his partner Coralie, signed the first vintage of a new chapter in the estate's history in 2002. The two oenologists met on the benches of the National Oenologist Diploma programme in Bordeaux. Before settling in Amboise, each honed their training in the four corners of the world: Coralie spent time with an organic importer in the United States, the Beaujolais trade association, Cain Vineyard in California, and South Africa; Damien also accumulated international experience. This shared global perspective considerably enriches their approach to the Loire terroirs.

Upon returning to Amboise in 2002, Coralie chose first to work at the Amboise viticulture school before officially joining the estate in 2008, the year she created the Quatre Mains cuvée as a mark of her co-authorship. Biodynamics was adopted in 2011, and the estate committed fully to this path with deep conviction: the quality of the grape depends directly on the quality of soil life. The vineyard, farmed with rare exigency, today comprises 15 hectares spread across 50 plots. The Delecheneau family is also passionate about classical music: parents and children all play an instrument, which is reflected in the poetic names of their cuvées.

Terroirs and Vines of the La Grange Tiphaine estate

The La Grange Tiphaine vineyard is spread across three appellations: Montlouis-sur-Loire (essential for the Chenin blancs), Touraine-Amboise (Chenin blanc and red grape varieties) and Touraine (Sauvignon and blends). The terroirs of the Montlouis sector are essentially calcareous and clay-siliceous, with flint and clay-over-flint soils giving the Chenins a deep minerality and great ageing potential. The Amboise sector rests on calcareous terroirs, with an influence of tuffeau limestone and silica, ideal for the production of upright and fruity Chenin blancs, and elegant reds. Some plots feature pure flint soils, such as those dedicated to the Sauvignon of the Quatre Mains cuvée.

The estate's great singularity lies in its plots of very old vines: centenary Chenins and Côts, some of which are over 100 years old, producing grapes of exceptional concentration and complexity. All 50 plots are farmed biodynamically, with biodynamic preparations, herbal teas, and constant attention to lunar cycles for vineyard work and vinification. Harvesting is done by hand, with a sorting table pass for the reds.

Vinifications of the La Grange Tiphaine estate

Coralie and Damien's winemaking philosophy is faithful to their vision: "the winemaker is merely an interpreter of a score written by nature". The work in the cellar is carried out with respect for the juices, encouraging the natural course of vinification. Fermentations are started with indigenous yeasts; ageing takes place in concrete tanks, large oak barrels or amphorae depending on the needs of each plot and each cuvée. The cellar is organised across several levels to make use of gravity and avoid any pumping, which oxidises and degrades the wines. Measured and considered use of sulphur is employed, without additives or interventionist winemaking techniques.

Pressings are slow and pneumatic. For the whites, the juices spend a night of settling in concrete tanks before fermentation begins. Ageing varies according to the cuvées: from 5 months in tank on lees for the Bel Air and Trinqu'âmes, to 18 months in large oak barrels for the Épinays, including barrel ageing for the Clef de Sol red cuvées. The natural sparkling wines are bottled before the end of fermentation, without any addition. The same rigour is applied to each cuvée, whether it is a négociant cuvée such as Trinqu'âmes or a great single-plot cuvée such as Les Épinays.

The cuvées of the La Grange Tiphaine estate

Les Épinays (Montlouis-sur-Loire): The estate's flagship single-plot Chenin blanc dry cuvée, one of Damien's "crowns" according to his importers. A soft and complex nose of pear juice, blond tobacco, gingerbread and apricot, which opens after aeration on apricot, grapefruit and rose. A palate of immediate balance, a texture evoking very ripe fruits, minerality showcased in a long and fresh finish. Aged for 18 months in large oak barrels. Ageing potential of up to 10 years. A table wine built for white meats, fish and cheeses.

Nouveau Nez (Montlouis-sur-Loire): Natural sparkling wine in Chenin blanc, "a return to roots to create a natural bubble, without artifice, solely with the sugars of the grape". The estate's original pétillant, in the Montlouis-sur-Loire appellation, is the purest expression of its origins. Fine bubbles, fruity and floral nose, fresh and lightly mineral palate. Ideal as an aperitif or with fish or poultry dishes. Ageing potential of 3 to 5 years.

Clef de Sol Blanc (Montlouis-sur-Loire): The estate's emblematic Chenin blanc dry cuvée, "a tribute to this grape variety-terroir duo capable of leading us towards the purity of the mineral". A direct and precise expression of the Montlouis soils, with aromas of lemon, white flowers and a crystalline minerality. A taut, upright, saline and long palate. The "key" entry into the Grange Tiphaine universe for many enthusiasts. Ageing potential of 5 to 10 years.

Les Grenouillères (Montlouis-sur-Loire): Chenin blanc cuvée from a specific plot in Montlouis, in a dry or off-dry style depending on the vintage. Aromas of white-fleshed fruits, flowers and chalk, a balanced and fresh palate, with the typical mineral tension of the finest calcareous-siliceous terroirs of the appellation.

L'Équilibriste (Montlouis-sur-Loire): Chenin blanc cuvée in a medium-sweet or gently sweet style, from selections of overripe grapes. A subtle balance between natural sweetness and acidic freshness, with aromas of candied fruits, honey and flowers. A Montlouis liquoreux of great finesse.

Bel Air (Touraine-Amboise Blanc): Dry Chenin blanc cuvée in Touraine-Amboise, "freshness, tension and limestone". Vinified by slow whole-cluster pressing, aged 5 months in tank on fine lees. A very fine Chenin nose, notes of citrus and white fruits. A generous, supple palate carried by a lively freshness. The expression of the Amboise terroir through a fruity, generous and accessible wine. Perfect as an aperitif or with a light meal.

Quatre Mains (Touraine): Confidential Sauvignon blanc cuvée from a flint terroir in Touraine, created by Coralie in 2008 upon her official arrival at the estate. "When Sauvignon meets a flint terroir like that of Amboise, one knows that a great fine wine can be born." A refined and elegant wine, the expression of an osmosis between the grape variety and its preferred terroir, with aromas of white flowers, citrus and flint. Capable of ageing for 5 to 10 years.

Ad Libitum (Touraine): Touraine cuvée in Chenin blanc or Sauvignon depending on the vintage, in a free and expressive style. "Ad libitum" (at will in Latin) reflects the creative freedom of the pair in this more relaxed cuvée. A fruity and generous wine, to be enjoyed in its prime youth.

Trinqu'âmes (Touraine): Négociant cuvée in Chenin blanc, the estate's entry-level white wine, crafted with the same rigour as the flagship cuvées. An evocative name of conviviality, this accessible and fruity Chenin is perfect for sharing among friends. Vinification in concrete tanks, short ageing on lees.

Côt Vieilles Vignes (Touraine-Amboise Rouge): Red cuvée made from centenary Côt (Malbec), one of the estate's most precious plots. This red expresses the full depth, purity of fruit and beautiful juice that only century-old vines can offer. Aromas of deep dark fruits, spices and a distinctive calcareous minerality. An age-worthy wine of fine amplitude. To be discovered in the finest vintages.

Clef de Sol Rouge (Touraine-Amboise Rouge): The estate's flagship red cuvée, from a blend of Côt and Cabernet franc, "built for ageing through an entirely barrel-aged élevage". A complex and structured red wine, pushing the expression of the Amboise terroir further. Aromas of dark fruits, spices and integrated oak, an ample and fleshy palate, tannins present but silky, long calcareous finish. Ageing potential of 5 to 10 years. Ideal with slow-cooked dishes or roasted meats.

Bécarre (Touraine-Amboise Rouge): Red Touraine-Amboise cuvée from Côt, Cabernet franc or Gamay depending on the vintage, in a lighter and more accessible style than the Clef de Sol Rouge. The bécarre (a musical sign that cancels a flat or a sharp) reflects the spirit of this more direct and straightforward cuvée. A fruity and juicy red wine, to be enjoyed in the first few years.

Tournage Riant (Touraine Rouge): Red Touraine cuvée in Gamay or a blend, in a light and festive style, for youthful and generous drinking. Aromas of fresh small red fruits, a supple and thirst-quenching palate. The estate's wine for immediate pleasure and sharing.

Les Ormeaux (Touraine-Amboise Rouge): Red cuvée from a specific plot of the Amboise vineyard, in Côt or Cabernet franc. A single-plot expression of the Touraine-Amboise appellation, with fruity aromas and an elegant structure, in the precise and chiselled style of La Grange Tiphaine.

Violetta (Touraine-Amboise Rouge): Confidential red cuvée, from Côt or Cabernet franc on a particular plot. A nose of violet and red fruits, a delicate and floral palate, with characteristic aromatic finesse. A wine of charm and seduction, in a more ethereal style than the Clef de Sol.

Rosa, Rosé, Rosam (Touraine Rosé): Dry rosé cuvée made from red grape varieties of the vineyard, vinified by direct pressing. Pale pink colour, nose of small red fruits and flowers, fresh and thirst-quenching palate. The name is a Latin play on words evoking the rose in all its grammatical forms, in keeping with the estate's poetic and cultured spirit.