Established: 1770

Appellations:

  • AOC Vouvray

Proprietor: Pichot Family

Winemaker: Christophe Pichot

Wine Making Overview: Vinification in stainless steel tanks at low temperature with a small amount in used oak barrels for the still wines, 10% aged barrels for sec and 20% for demi-sec and more for sweet wines. Wine aged on fine lees for 6 months before bottling using tangential filtration.

Average Production: 12000 dozen

Viticulture: Certified HVE3 (High Value Environmental, Level 3). Certified Organic-In-Conversion. In Conversion to Biodynamics.

Vegan Friendly: Yes

Vineyard Area: 28ha

Vineyards: most vineyards located in premiere coteau and Vallee de Nouys just above the village of Vouvray

  • Coteau de La Biche

  • Clos Cartaud

  • Clos St Mathurin

  • Clos Berger

  • Le Marigny

Vine Density: 6600 vines/ha

 
Less well known than Huet or Clos Naudin, the Pichots merit as much praise.
— Le Classement, La Revue de Vins de France

The Pichot family is one of the oldest in Vouvray with origins as restaurateurs going back to 1739 later followed by the purchase of the superb Coteau de la Biche vineyards in 1770 establishing them as growers to help supply the restaurant. Their vineyard holdings are mostly located all at the top of the village with the largest holding which makes up their classic Coteau de la Biche in the prime Vallee de Nouys which is perfectly sited for making drier styles of wine and faces south-east. The Pichot family also own most of the “premiere coteau” site of Le Marigny located just above the village opposite Clos du Bourg. These are quite simply regarded as being amongst the very best vineyard sites of the appellation.

“..in 1984 when the young Christophe Pichot, Jean-Claude’s son, acquired 8 hectares in Le Marigny, making him the main exponent of one of the appellation’s most desirable vineyards (even if it is persistently overshadowed by the likes of Clos du Bourg, Clos Baudoin and Le Mont).“ winedoctor.com

All vineyards are farmed organically with grasses grown between the rows to reduce the uptake of moisture and vigour to the vines. The average age of vines is high with the Clos Cartaud vines around 75 years old. While Vouvray as a whole produces about 40% sparkling wines and 60% still wines at Domaine Pichot more than 85% are still wines made into sec, demi-sec or moelleux and less than 15% being made as sparkling wines. The style of the wines here is among the driest of the appellation for each style with sec typically being from 3-7 gms/litre residual and demi-sec from 13-17 gms/litre with moelleux most often around 60 gms/litre. Harvesting is mostly done by hand and yields are kept low at an average 25 hl/ha.

One of the first domaines of Vouvray to export to the U.S.A. Domaine Pichot are perhaps better known in export markets than at home in France as Christophe spends most of his time ‘hands-on’ in the vineyards and winery and being such a small producer he is very focused for each step of production. Domaine Pichot are very well known for the brilliant quality of the stunning sweet wines, although their dry and demi-sec wines are also superb. Right across the range these are remarkable wines that will age effortlessly for decades (as vintages back to 1950’s very generously shared from the family cellar have demonstrated) and will also provide great satisfaction from a young age.

We feel extremely fortunate to be able to represent the wines of this domaine as the US market will simply buy everything produced and there it will be sold out in the space of a month or 2. Christophe has kindly made more than he normally would of the dry sec wines for us and also more than ever of the sparkling Brut to try to meet our markets demand. The recent additions of the single vineyard wines of the dry Clos Cartaud and off-dry Clos Berger are made in small 200-250 case lots in brand new very small stainless steel tanks especially for the Australian market in recognition of our particular passion for the drier spectrum of Vouvray. As we represented the wines of Clos Baudoin when it was owned by Philippe Poniatowski, Christophe has aimed to make the very best wines that he can in his own very pure and age-worthy style from vineyards located very close by and will only produce these wines in exceptional years when he feels the balance of each wine is perfect. So we apologise in advance for any shortages while we wait for another exceptional vintage to be released of these 2 very special single vineyard wines.

These are wines that should always be bought in multiple case lots as all the wines will provide great pleasure for many years and at every stage of their development. Value for money here is extraordinary. These are simply among the most popular wines that we represent and these are bound to put a smile on the face of beginners right through to the most fussy afficionados. Vouvray is well known for the incredible ageing capacity of its great sweet and demi-sec wines, and even the dry sec can age effortlessly for decades. Christophe was the very first producer of ours to start bottling under stelvin-luxe which ensures that these great wines now can age even longer without having to worry about cork taint or having to replace corks after 20 years.

2022 Vouvray “Le Marigny” (cork seal) ---NEW WINE---
From the same superb premiere coteau vineyard site that produces the Moelleux wine listed below, comes a new demi-sec bottling. Hand picked fruit is slowly pressed over 6 hours and then cold-settled for another 48 hours before fermentation in 80 % stainless steel tanks and 20 % 300 litre oak barrels. The wine is kept on fine lees over winter and bottled with about 15 g/L of residual sugar, which beautifully balances the high natural acidity of the Chenin Blanc variety. A natural aperitif, the tension and vibrancy of this wine means it can also partner a wide range of seafood and white meats throughout the meal.

2016 Vouvray Methode Traditionelle “Clos Saint Mathurin” (sparkling) - NEW - last cases
This is the first release from the Clos St Mathurin vineyard, which comes from one hectare of vines located in the northern limit of the Première Côte site of Le Marigny just above the village in the heart of the appellation. “..within Le Marigny he also owns the Clos Saint Mathurin, a name not reflected in cadastral maps and which has largely disappeared from use, although Christophe has resurrected it. It accounts for 1 hectare of the vineyard, the vines aged 35 years, and he dedicates the fruit to a single-vineyard sparkling wine.“ winedoctor.com
The cuvée is made in the méthode traditionnelle, with primary fermentation in 70% stainless steel and 30% in 400 litre used barrels, followed by four years maturation on fine lees in bottle. The wine is then disgorged and re-corked with zero dosage. The result is a very fine, crisp and beautifully composed sparkling Vouvray. Medium-bodied with a lovely fine mousse, it drinks very well as an aperitif, but also has the intensity of classic Chenin Blanc characters to accompany a wide range of dishes throughout the meal.
”There are just 1 hectare of 35-year old vines at Clos Saint Mathurin, planted on clay and limestone soils. The fruit is picked by hand, and after pressing the first fermentation is in 70% stainless steel and 30% barrel, the second fermentation is in bottle, followed by 36 months sur lattes. This has a pale straw-gold hue in the glass and a firm bead. There follows a convincing nose, rich in dried citrus fruit, sweetly polished, with white currant and white pepper. It is smouldering and smoky, modern and reductive. Fruit rich on the palate, and lean in terms of texture, this has great acidity and a fresh mousse. Bright, sinewy and peppery, with a youthful and full stance, this is hugely impressive. 93/100 Chris Kissack, thewinedoctor.com, Sept. 2020

2021 Vouvray Brut (sparkling)
Comes primarily from vines located further behind the village from vineyards more suitable for sparkling wine. The cuvée is made in the méthode traditionnelle and is aged on its lees for typically two to three years, before disgorgement and re-corking with zero dosage, with each order being disgorged especially for us sur commande. The result is a very fresh and quite full bodied sparkling Vouvray, with a fine and lively mousse and a textbook Chenin Blanc flavour profile. It drinks very well as an aperitif and also throughout the meal, accommodating both lighter and richer courses. 2021 based sparkling not yet reviewed - the following review for 2018 vintage base.
‘Although this entry-level sparkling wine is officially non-vintage, the truth is the fruit was from 2018. It has no dosage. The nose is smoky and fresh, with a dried-fruit richness and plenty of character. Fresh and lightly honeyed on the palate, with more dried-fruits substance. It is dry, with a fine mousse, and ultimately a very fresh, light but fine character. It is the sort of wine you might imagine drinking up in a year or two, although the wines tasted alongside suggest that might be rather hasty. 92/100” Chris Kissack, thewinedoctor.com, October 2020

2022 Vouvray sec “Coteau de la Biche” (stelvin-luxe seal)
This wine comes from vines situated just above the family house and winery in the prime south-east facing Vallee de Nouys. Afficionados of dry Vouvray have for centuries considered the Vallee de Nouys to be the best site in the appellation for drier styles of wine with great finesse. The famed vineyard of Clos Baudoin is located further down the valley barely a stones throw away. Vinified in stainless steel with about 10% of this cuvee being aged in older 400 litre barrels. 2022 is an exceptional vintage for Vouvray yielding wines of perfume, finesse and lip-smacking freshness. Aromas of pear candied fruit and spice with hints of honey and that distinctive chalkiness that is so typical of great Vouvray. Fine, brilliantly focused flavours with exceptional texture and length this shows the tension typical of great dry Vouvray and is showing well from its earliest days even tasted from tank just after ferment in early November 2022.
2022 not yet reviewed - the following review for 2020 vintage
”A charming, welcoming, very suave 2020 Vouvray Sec Coteau de la Biche with no edges. This expands in the mouth; there's good concentration and fine tannic structure that provides a gentle chalky finish. Very satisfying and succulent with a lovely smoky note at the end. The 7g/L of residual sugar keeps things juicy and succulent rather than adding overt sweetness.”
90 points, Vinous Media, March 2021

2022 Vouvray sec "Clos Cartaud"  (stelvin-luxe seal)
Made from 45-75 year old vines located above the village adjoining Clos Saint Mathurin not far from the Vallee de Nouys where the Pichot family and winery are located. Shows exceptional intensity and old vine depth and wonderful texture and richness balanced by 3 gms residual sugar with refreshing balanced acidity. Stunning. Only made in the very best years when Christophe feels the balance is perfect. This is a tiny cuvee of just 3000 bottles maximum made almost exclusively for the Australian market and vinified and aged in a brand new small stainless steel vat.
2022 not yet reviewed - the following review for 2020 vintage
”Hand-harvested from two hectares of vines that are 45-50 years old, and wild-fermented in stainless steel. The 2020 Vouvray Sec Clos Cartaud is bottled relatively early to capture the fresh fruit aromas and freshness. There's clay-limestone on the site, and the clay component gives the easy roundness in this wine. Fine, bright freshness on the finish makes your mouth water. Drinking well already despite its youth.” 89 points, Vinous Media, March 2021

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2020 Vouvray “L’Electron Libre” (cork seal) - NEW CUVEE - FIRST VINTAGE
This wine comes from a selection of each of the 10 plots of the Pichot family vines situated among the best placed premier coteau vineyard sites of the village and near the family winery in the Vallee de Nouys. Fermented in stainless steel then aged in all new oak barrels for 12 months being bottled in September 2021. Inspired and encouraged by the best young sommelier of 2021 Marie Wodecki from Hotel Crillon in Paris, this is a stunning success and while perfectly balanced and extremely enjoyable right now it will age effortlessly in a good cool cellar. Christophe allows the ferment to stop naturally and in the 2020 vintage it finished with 14 g/L of residual sugar, perfectly balancing the naturally high acidity of the Chenin Blanc variety. The wine shows lovely volume of flavour in the mouth, with beautifully integrated nutty barrel-ferment notes lending complexity to the long and vibrant finish. Just 10 barrels were produced (one from each plot) and this tiny cuvee elevates the Pichot range to a new level. L’Electron Libre will more than comfortably compare with the very best wines of the region, many of which sit at much higher price-points.

2020 Vouvray demi-sec “Clos Berger” (stelvin-luxe seal) 
Made from one hectare of old vines located above the village further north of the domaine and its main vineyards of Coteau de la Biche in the vallee de Nouys. Just 13 gms/litre of residual sugar. Beautifully intense and fine with great length. Demi-sec Vouvray is, after sparkling Vouvray, the most popular wine of the appellation and perhaps the most typical showing chenin blanc at it most perfumed and expressive with just delicate sweetness balancing the lively acidity and giving great length and also ageing capacity to the wines. Demi-sec wines tasted at the domaine going back into the 1950’s are simply a revelation and among the great wines we will taste in any year. The wine is so versatile with so many foods and also so delicious as a lip smacking aperitif there really is no excuse for this wine not being in every cellar and every fridge - the only limitation being that just 2400 bottles were produced in 2020..!!
2022 not yet reviewed - the following review for 2020 vintage
”From a single-hectare parcel, the 2020 Demi-Sec Clos Berger presents a fine, floral nose. Fermented in stainless steel, preserving the bright pineapple and pear fruit. Easy to like and to drink. Pure, fresh and fruit-forward. Lovely balance and freshness despite the sweetness. Youthful but already drinking well.” Vinous Media, March 2021

2020 Vouvray moelleux “Le Marigny”   (stelvin-luxe seal)
From the superb premiere coteau vineyard site (Pichot owning about 90% of this prime site) located just above the village to the west of Clos du Bourg. A gently sweet moelleux with residual sugar around 70 grams per litre making this a wine that will match with so many desserts rather than competing with them for sweetness. Also goes superbly with many rich cheeses having sufficient acidity. Drinking well now and will age effortlessly.
”A 10-hectare parcel produces the fruit for the nobly rotted 2020 Vouvray Moelleux Le Marigny. It's relatively aromatic, offering up florals, orange and apricots on the nose. On the palate, it's round and sweet and super easy to like, sitting comfortably in the mouth like honey.” 89 points, Vinous Media, March 2021

2011 Vouvray tries de grains nobles “Les Larmes de Bacchus”
Produced only in the best years from 1 hectare of 60+ year old vines in the superbly sited premiere coteau vineyard of Le Marigny located opposite Clos du Bourg just above the village. The family spend months working this vineyard then harvesting by hand to produce between 1 and 3 barrels in the best years. These painfully low yields give a wine with remarkable acidity that masks its 298 g/l residual sugar. This stunning wine will age effortlessly for 50+ years given careful cellaring. Only 800 bottles produced. Rated by La Revue du Vin de France magazine as one of the top wines of Vouvray in 2011.
”This cuvée is made entirely from handpicked botrytised grapes, which in this remarkable vintage (which saw a pre-harvest heatwave) means an unprecedented residual sugar of 300 g/l and an alcohol concentration of just 9%, the yeasts clearly having waved the white flag at this stage. It has an amazing colour, a golden burnished bronze. The aromatics feel slightly volatile, evidence of intense botrytisation, with scents of dried figs, dried apricot and orange, with black tea leaf and cigar box. The palate is truly intense, well into the liquoreux style, with an intense, eye-popping level of sweetness and a palate-dominating texture and grip. It has the acidity to match, nevertheless this is still a challenge to drink right now. I suspect if I come back to it on my hundredth birthday it may be a little more approachable, although I am not betting on it. A wine for your grandchildren. Or maybe their grandchildren. 95/100
Chris Kissack, thewinedoctor.com, September 2020

1995 Vouvray tries de grains nobles “Les Larmes de Bacchus”
”This cuvée is sourced from a broad area of vines, on a variety of soils including clay, limestone and flint, across the entire domaine. As the name suggests it is a late tri, of hand-picked botrytised fruit, the juice vinified in barrel. In the glass it displays, at 27 years of age, a lightly burnished orange-gold hue. The nose combines Ligérian classicism with botrytis hedonism in a convincing style, leading with notes of herbal tea over toasted and dried fruits, caramelised nuts and praline. The palate has a simply fabulous texture, sweet yet sinewy, brimming with toasted and dried fruits mirroring the nose, figs especially, touched with notes of rose petals and grapefruit, the latter element coming through with a delicious and quite savoury acidity. All in all this is bright and focused, with a long, tense, sinewy and acid-bright finish. A great success. 96/100.” Chris Kissack, thewinedoctor.com, September 2020

Vouvray tries de grains nobles “Les Larmes de Bacchus” available in 2009, 2005, 1996 and 1995
Produced only 6 times and only in the very best years for botrytis. Very fresh with remarkable acidity and residual sugar ranging from 110 g/l to 160 g/l. This stunning sweet wine is harvested grape by grape from a tiny one hectare parcel of vines in this exceptional premiere coteau vineyard that is full south facing just above the village on the valley opposite Clos du Bourg. Average yield for these 6 vintages of around 1 hl/ha (average of 15 hl/ha at Chateau dÝquem). This is a remarkable labour of love of grapes selected mostly by Caroline Pichot.

A family time-line from the first purchase of vineyards in 1770 to today;

1770: Purchase of the Coteau de la Biche vineyard becoming the property of the family Dattee-Flock (3 hectares of vines and a large cellar).
1893: The vineyard expands under the impulse of René Besnard, son-in-law of Grandma Dattee (1.5 hectares).
1935: Gérard Pichot marries the daughter of René Besnard and grows the vineyard of Coteau de la Biche to 6 hectares of vines.
1957: Jean-Claude and Danielle Pichot buy a house and a vineyard of 10 hectares, it is the birth of Peu de la Moriette.
1984: Christophe Pichot bought a vineyard of 8 hectares of a single standing on a magnificent terroir Le Marigny.
1996: Jean-Claude and Christophe creates a society which groups the three vineyards under the same banner of Domaine Pichot.
1997: Construction of a winery on the family property Coteau de la Biche. 1998: Installation of our stainless steel vat room (1500 hls) and a system thermoregulation.
1999: Purchase of a Bucher pneumatic press.
2009: Expansion of our winery and installation of our group Bucher tangential filtration system as well as a Costral bottling unit (cap, screw caps).
2010: Transformation of our former labeling room into a tasting room for the reception of our customers by Caroline Pichot.
2011: Investment in an automatic disgorging machine of TDD brand. Creation of the website to help you discover the secrets of Domaine Pichot wines.