Sebastien Riffault

Domaine Riffault has an impressive heritage of old vines, which it plows using horses. Of Domaine Riffault’s 12 hectares, four are on steep slopes. All vineyard work is done by hand, and the grapes are always harvested at full ripeness, often with some botrytis. The result is distinctive wines: exceptional “natural” Sauvignon whites and a Pinot Noir Loire red, all given extended aging, generally two years in tanks followed by one year in barrels. The wines bear Lithuanian cuvée names chosen with Riffault’s partner, who is from Lithuania: “Akméniné” (“made of stone”); “Auksinis” (“golden”), also made as a skin-contact orange wine; “Saulétas” (“sunny”), from Kimmeridgian marl; “Skeveldra” (“stone shard”), from flint soils; and a final, small Pinot Noir cuvée called “Raudonas” (“red”). Sébastien Riffault is a winemaker of strong convictions and can, to some extent, be compared with Alexandre Bain, renowned for his Pouilly-Fumé wines, though he has since left the appellation. Be aware that Sébastien Riffault’s cuvées are unlike many standardized-tasting Sauvignons: these wines can surprise with a fairly pronounced oxidative character and somewhat unexpected aromas of dried fruit and apricot, atypical of the grape. Although he enjoys experimenting with different approaches to winemaking, Sébastien Riffault knows how to produce expressive, mineral wines. Acclaimed Michelin-starred Paris restaurants such as Septime do not hesitate to offer them in slightly older vintages. This is where the magic of the terroir–grape–winemaker trio emerges and works beautifully. The Sebastien Riffault “Saulétas” cuvée comes from Sauvignon vines on Kimmeridgian limestone soil. On the nose, it shows a mineral character with notes of pineapple and menthol; on the palate, it is supple and rounded, with appealing, refined bitterness. The Sebastien Riffault “Auksinis” cuvée comes from limestone terroir. Its nose opens with floral and slightly oxidative notes, while the palate offers orange zest and honey, complemented by a superb, long mineral backbone.The Sebastien Riffault cuvée “ Skeveldra” has a straw-yellow color and aromas of yellow fruit, pear and wax. The palate is very rounded, mineral, saline and slightly oxidative. The Sebastien Riffault “Auksinis macération” cuvée is made by macerating very ripe grapes in whole clusters. Its complexity is simply astonishing: despite its aromas of very ripe citrus fruit and acacia honey, the wine is completely dry, with unmistakable richness on the palate. Finally, the red Sebastien Riffault cuvée, “Raudonas”, is an exceptional Pinot Noir with a powerful bouquet and irresistibly rounded, delicious fruit. If you enjoy making discoveries, don’t hesitate to try Benoit Riffault’s wines: they are sure to surprise and delight you.

Vins & Millésimes, a specialist in online sales of older vintages and grands crus, offers you a wide selection of bottles and magnums from Domaine Sebastien Riffault. Choose the easiest way to buy wine online: all our bottles are in stock, ship within 48 to 72 hours and are always competitively priced!