Sébastien Riffault is one of the most singular voices in Sancerre. Working organically and biodynamically, he has long challenged the region’s conventions. His philosophy centres on waiting: later harvesting, full physiological ripeness, and minimal intervention in the cellar. The aim is to allow the site to speak.
Akmèniné, a name drawn from Lithuanian, means something akin to “stony”. It refers to the limestone-rich soils of Sancerre, in the language of Riffault’s wife.
Picked later than is customary in Sancerre, the 2020 reveals a broader, more textural expression of sauvignon blanc.
Akmèniné 2020 (Sébastien Riffault)
Deep straw yellow, towards golden, slightly turbid. Aroma of citrus peel, ripe orchard fruit and a gentle hint of herbs, underpinned by a chalky, mineral edge. On the palate, there is both breadth and tension — a subtle ripeness balanced by freshness, with a saline, finely grained finish.
Price: Medium