2020 Vincent Pinard Le Chateau Sancerre, Loire Valley

From a small parcel planted on Kimmeridgian soils in 1968, the 2020 Sancerre Le Chateau is a powerful and structured Sancerre with plentiful welcome flesh. You can expect a high level of concentration reflecting the restricted yields, and the flavours are reminiscent of ripe apples, nectarines, floral notes and a pastry -like character on the finish. If I am being super picky, I’d like a little more tension through the wines core, but this was a warm season, and it is still an excellent wine. Drink 2023-2036.

94 points Rebecca Gibb MW vinous.com July 2022

A new single vineyard cuvee since 2015. The lieu-dit of Le Château sits on a south-west facing slope above the winery and is planted to old vines (planted 1970/72) on Oxfordian terroir of caillottes over kimmerigian limestone which is very typical of the vineyards around Bué. The fruit is hand picked, hand-sorted and then whole-bunch pressed, followed by fermentation and ageing predominantly in 600 litre barrels, with a smaller proportion done in stainless steel tanks. The wine is aged on fine lees for 9 months before bottling. A stunning wine of notable intensity and complexity which benefits from decanting and the finest stemware. Served blind this will challenge and more than compete in a line-up of fine white Burgundies. A very substantial wine with great energy and structure to age effortlessly.