In 1987, François Pinon, then a child psychologist, left his practice to take over the family estate following
his father’s retirement. He artfully combines traditional techniques with the latest technology,
maintaining ecologically friendly vineyards and minimal intervention in the cellar. The Silex Noir cuvee is
a demi‐sec named for the rare black flint soils of the Terné and Les Batailleries, vineyards from which the
wine is produced. The winery is gravity‐flow, meaning no pumps. Fermentation is spontaneous (native yeast)
and is left to work its course for 2‐3 months, when it stops just short of dry, due to Pinon’s very
cold cellar carved right into the tuffeau hillside. The wine is aged on its fine lees for 4‐5 months in a
variety of old oak vessels, from 500‐liter demi‐muids to 20‐hectoliter foudes, then is bottled in May
under a light filtration.
“A silky, mineral‐driven version, featuring wet stone and sel gris notes that stand firm from start to finish,
underscoring lemon zest, green plum, and quince flavors.” 94pts Wine Spectator