Olga Raffault Chinon Blanc Champ-Chenin 2014 October2023Reductions This gin is noticeably lacking

This gin is noticeably lacking juniper but is heavy on fruit and florals like peach

the estate famously refuses AOC status

and Kenny treats it with respect: stainless fermentation

Planted in 1989 on marl and brown clay soils

and this Pineau d'Aunis comes from old vines (some over a century) farmed by Valerie Forgues

Olga Raffault Chinon Blanc Champ-Chenin 2014 October2023Reductions This gin is noticeably lackingAlmost nobody makes white Chinon. The appellation is famous for Cabernet Franc, and the sliver of Chenin Blanc planted there gets grown mostly out of stubbornness and tradition. Olga Raffault is one of Chinon's most quietly legendary names, a domaine run by Sylvie Raffault with her husband Eric and son Arnaud, farming organically and fermenting with indigenous yeast. Champ Chenin comes off the tuffeau, the soft chalky limestone that runs under the