Sebastien Riffault

Domaine Riffault possesses a beautiful heritage of old vines on which it practices plowing with horses. Of the 12 hectares of Domaine Riffault, 4 hectares are located on sloping hillsides. All vineyard work is manual, and harvests are always carried out at full maturity and often with a portion of botrytis. Hence singular wines, great "natural" Sauvignon whites and a red Loire Pinot Noir; wines benefiting from long aging (generally 2 years in vats as well as one year in barrels). The wine range is presented with Lithuanian cuvée names that were chosen with his partner, who is herself from Lithuania. The "Akméniné" cuvée (translation: Made of stones), the "Auksinis" cuvée (Golden) which also exists in a maceration wine version (orange wine), the "Saulétas" cuvée (Sunny) on Kimmeridgian marl terroir or the "Skeveldra" cuvée (Stone splinter) on flint terroir, and with a last small cuvée of Pinot Noir named "Raudonas" (red). Sébastien Riffault is a winemaker with strong convictions, and he can to some extent be compared to Alexandre Bain, famous for his Pouilly Fumé wines (but who has since left the appellation). Be aware that Sébastien Riffault's cuvées are therefore not comparable to many standardized Sauvignons, as here the wines can sometimes surprise with a fairly pronounced oxidative side, and somewhat disconcerting aromas of dried fruits and apricot, not typical of the grape variety. Sébastien Riffault, although a proponent of experiments and numerous vinification variants, knows how to produce expressive and mineral wines, which Parisian starred restaurants, such as Septime, do not hesitate to offer in somewhat older vintages. From then on, the magic of the Terroir, Grape variety, Winemaker triptych comes to light and works perfectly. The Sebastien Riffault "Saulétas" cuvée comes from Sauvignon vines on Kimmeridgian limestone soil. On the nose, the wine develops a mineral side with notes of pineapple and menthol, and on the palate it offers suppleness and roundness, with beautiful noble bitterness. The Sebastien Riffault "Auksinis" cuvée comes from limestone terroir, and its nose opens on floral and slightly oxidative notes, with a palate of orange zest and honey, complemented by a superb mineral structure, with great length. The Sebastien Riffault "Skeveldra" cuvée displays a straw-yellow robe with aromas of yellow fruits, pear and wax, with a very round, mineral, saline and slightly oxidative palate. The Sebastien Riffault "Auksinis macération" cuvée is obtained after maceration of whole bunches of very ripe grapes, and its complexity is simply astonishing, with aromas of very ripe citrus fruits and acacia honey, yet the wine proves completely dry, with evident richness of matter. Finally, the Sebastien Riffault red cuvée "Raudonas" is a great Pinot Noir with a powerful bouquet, with irresistible roundness and richness. If you enjoy discoveries, do not hesitate to taste the wines of Benoit Riffault, which will surprise and seduce you.

Vins & Millésimes, specialist in the online sale of old vintages and great wines, offers you a wide selection of wine bottles or magnums from Domaine Sebastien Riffault. Choose the simplest solution to buy wine online: our bottles are all in stock and shipped within 48 to 72 hours, and always at advantageous prices!