Richard Leroy moved to the Loire from Paris in 1996, purchasing 2 hectares of vines in Rablay-Sur-. He initially planned to make the traditional botrytized sweet wines the  area is historically famed for, but a tasting of the pioneering dry wines of Mark Angéli immediately convinced him otherwise. Going from strength to strength, Richard is now widely regarded as one of, if not the finest dry Chenin producers in the Loire.

Les Noëls de Montbenault is Richard's top wine from vines planted in the eroded base of an ancient volcano on the plateau. The wine has a sumptuous concentration on the palate, with a hint of quince and a notable mineral (irony) flavour. Rich but balanced and very long on the finish, this is an exceptional wine, it will just need some time in bottle (or the decanter) to unwind.