2022 Vincent Pinard Grand Chemarin Sancerre, Loire Valley

A precise, salty white, the 2022 Grand Chemarin spends a year in demi-muids on lees. It has a rich, youthful plumpness and flesh that comes from the warm vintage and a creamy texture. Ripe peach flavors speak of a warmer location, but it's held in place by a fine belt of tension that the site's chalk can explain. It finishes with great momentum.

93 points Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous July 2024

Domaine Vincent Pinard is one of Sancerre's most respected family estates, with brothers Florent and Clément Pinard producing some of the Loire Valley's most compelling Sauvignon Blancs. Based in the village of Bué, the domaine has become particularly admired for its individual vineyard wines, where careful viticulture and thoughtful winemaking reveal the character of each site. Grand Chemarin is among their most distinctive and sought after cuvées.

The Grand Chemarin vineyard lies on the limestone rich slopes of Bué, where Sauvignon Blanc develops remarkable concentration and mineral character. The warm 2022 vintage produced generous fruit, while the vineyard's natural freshness and structure maintain a beautiful sense of balance.

Pale golden straw with bright green reflections. Ripe grapefruit, white peach and lemon zest mingle with elderflower, fresh fennel and a hint of flint. The palate is concentrated and finely textured, with juicy citrus, subtle stone fruit and a firm chalky backbone. Vibrant acidity and gentle smoky notes carry through a long, saline finish.

Try it with grilled king prawns and preserved lemon, asparagus and goat's cheese ravioli, or pan fried John Dory with fennel and capers. Its depth and mineral freshness also make it a wonderful match for Japanese seafood dishes.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2035+. The concentration and acidity of this exceptional vineyard should reward patient cellaring, developing greater savoury complexity over time.