Alsace, Rhône & Rest of France

The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de Mon Aieul is just now starting to shed a tiny amount of its abundant baby fat that's been front and center since release. Still, it pulls no punches in its thrilling aromas and flavors of kirsch liqueur, roasted garrigue, black raspberries, incense, cured meats and licorice, and it is about as quintessential Grenache as you can find. Thrillingly concentrated, intense, perfumed and layered with incredible balance, this full-bodied beauty should hit its peak in another 2-3 years and keep for at least a decade after that.

{***}{region} Rhône{region}
{color} Red {color}                   {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2007{vintage}

{ratings}
 [] The Wine Advocate:: 99/100        
{ratings} 

{***}

Stéphane brings a Burgundian approach to the region’s terroir from his studies in Beaune. He works with multiple lieux-dits, both in and out of the appellation, vinifying each separately and using oak sparingly to allow the particularities of each to show.

Lieux Dits, which translates to  Eaid location E refers to a specific site akin to a single vineyard. Stephane has 6 Lieux Dits across both the Côte Blonde and Brune - feminine, masculine, floral, savoury, earthiness all come through. 

{***}{region} Rhône{region} {color} Red {color}

 {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2016{vintage}

{ratings}

[] Jeb Dunnuck ::95/100

{ratings}

{***}

Stéphane brings a Burgundian approach to the region’s terroir from his studies in Beaune. He works with multiple lieux-dits, both in and out of the appellation, vinifying each separately and using oak sparingly to allow the particularities of each to show.

Lieux Dits, which translates to  Eaid location E refers to a specific site akin to a single vineyard. Stephane has 6 Lieux Dits across both the Côte Blonde and Brune - feminine, masculine, floral, savoury, earthiness all come through. 

{***}{region} Rhône{region}
{color} Red {color}                  

 {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2016{vintage}

{ratings}

[] Jeb Dunnuck ::94/100

{ratings}

{***}

Stéphane brings a Burgundian approach to the region’s terroir from his studies in Beaune. He works with multiple lieux-dits, both in and out of the appellation, vinifying each separately and using oak sparingly to allow the particularities of each to show.

Lieux Dits, which translates to  Eaid location E refers to a specific site akin to a single vineyard. Stephane has 6 Lieux Dits across both the Côte Blonde and Brune - feminine, masculine, floral, savoury, earthiness all come through. 

{***}{region} Rhône{region}
{color} Red {color}                  

 {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2016{vintage}

{ratings}

[] Jeb Dunnuck ::96/100

{ratings}

{***}

Stéphane brings a Burgundian approach to the region’s terroir from his studies in Beaune. He works with multiple lieux-dits, both in and out of the appellation, vinifying each separately and using oak sparingly to allow the particularities of each to show.

Lieux Dits, which translates to  Eaid location E refers to a specific site akin to a single vineyard. Stephane has 6 Lieux Dits across both the Côte Blonde and Brune - feminine, masculine, floral, savoury, earthiness all come through. 

{***}{region} Rhône{region} {color} Red {color}

 {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2016{vintage}

{ratings}

[] Jeb Dunnuck ::96/100

{ratings}

{***}

Inky ruby. Intensely perfumed aromas of ripe red/blue fruits, potpourri and smoked meat show excellent clarity and spicy lift. Offers deeply concentrated boysenberry, black raspberry, spicecake and violet pastille flavors. Hints of candied licorice and cracked pepper build on the back half. Finishes on a suave, alluringly sweet note of blue fruit liqueur, with slowly emerging tannins and outstanding focus. - Vinous

{***}{region} Rhône{region}
{color} Red {color}          

{maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2015{vintage}

{ratings}[]Wine Spectator:: 97/100
[] Wine Advocate:: 95/100

[] Vinous:: 94/100{ratings}

{***}

Nearly as good as the la Côte Blonde, the 2016 Cote Rotie La Belle Helene is plump, round and full in the mouth, yet it lacks some of the former wine's exotic perfume. It still shows lovely purity, with baskets of ripe red berries, a plush, creamy mouthfeel and a long finish. It's a terrific wine that suffers only by comparison. With its terrific concentration and balance, it should drink well for two decades or more.

{***}{region} Rhône{region}
{color} Red {color}                  

 {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2016{vintage}

{ratings}
 [] The Wine Advocate:: 92-94/100        
{ratings} 

{***}

The domaine purchased 3.80ha of the lieu-dit En Mortperay in 2017, half a hectare very new, the rest with 60-year-old vines. The grapes are brought to Beaune, vinified as whole bunches, one tank of three under carbonic maceration for ten days, the other two more classic.

Ageing is partly in foudre, completed by 228-litre barrels. This is really interesting as it starts like a floral pinot and finishes more on gamay. Really quite lovely and with some crunchiness too.

Jasper Morris MW, InsideBurgundy.com (October 2019)

In Burgundy, Mounir Saouma is not a big fan of red wines made with stems, but he says he loves the effect of stems of old-vine Grenache in Châteauneuf - though other red varieties are destemmed. This pale wine is fresh, graceful and lifted, a haunting combination of sweet woodland strawberry fragrance with something much stonier, denser and meatier. The 36 months on lees have left the wine textured, juicy, full and savourous. It appears grippy under analysis, yet the tannins are so well clad that they don’t perturb. It’s an ample, searching and fine red wine, proving that width and finesse can go together in Châteauneuf.

Drink 2020 - 2030

Andrew Jefford, Decanter.com (April 2018)

Inky violet colour. Highly perfumed, mineral-tinged aromas of ripe black and blue fruits, smoky bacon, olive paste and incense, and suggestions for woodsmoke and exotic spices.
Offers palate-staining, appealingly sweet and intensely concentrated blueberry, cassis, floral pastille, smoked meat, liquorice and fruitcake flavours that show excellent concentration and are supported by a core of juicy acidity.
Finishes sweet, broad and extremely long, with resonating floral and chewy tannins that build steadily.

 Drink 2031 - 2044

Josh Raynolds, Vinous.com (December 2022)

Grapes are sourced from gently sloped, south-facing plains and aged 85% in concrete to retain freshness and minerality. There is a bright, blue fruit nose with some dried green herbs and black pepper. It is silky and approachable, filled with juicy blackberries and a refreshing dose of tart redcurrant acidity on the finish.

Drink now to 2029 

Berry Bros. & Rudd

This cuvée comes from the high granite slopes of the 3-hectare ancient Roman Cuminaille lieu-dit. It was Pierre’s first vineyard, planted in 1981. The nose is wonderfully fragrant with swathes of red fruits, black pepper and violets. The palate introduces blackcurrants and blueberries along with fine, firm tannins and a hint of savoury complexity on the finish. Drink 2024-2030. 

The 2021 Riesling Reserve is sourced entirely from estate owned old vines in Ribeauville and Bergheim. Green apple and lychee make way to stone fruits and oyster shell. It is bone dry with mouth-watering acidity, creating a real sense of freshness and energy. This is already drinking remarkably well now but will keep for decades. A cellar staple that offers unrivalled value.

Drink 2023 - 2043 

Alex Weller, Account Manager, Berry Bros. & Rudd

In contrast to the sullen 2018, Jamet's 2017 Cote Rotie Terrasses is more open at the moment, with attractive notes of strawberry and raspberry compote framed by velvety tannins. It's full-bodied, with enough stuffing to carry it at least another decade, probably longer.

Just a few steps up the hill and a solid stone wall apart from the old family domaine now home to his brother, Jean-Luc Jamet continues to build and expand his brand-new cellars. As it had been some time since my previous visit, we had some catching up to do, and we went through a few short verticals of the domaine's wines, as well as a quick barrel tasting of the lots destined for the 2020 Cote Rotie Terrasses.

Drink 2022 - 2035

Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate (January 2022)

Mint, blood, blackberry. A library book scent too. Has the reverence, the ethos and the greatness of the best-maturing wines – and the balance is just now coming into harmony. Dense potent, heavy, wonderful.

Drink 2010 - 2040

Richard Hemming MW, JancisRobinson.com (August 2016)

From young vines planted on limestone soils at the very edge of the première côte and next to Vincent’s prized Le Clos. It opens with a delicate citrus nose, a touch of grass and honeyed spice. The palate displays ripe orchard fruit, cox apple and pear tart, a hint of ginger, and some rich stone fruit. The palate has a weight and roundness perfectly balanced by mouth-watering acidity. Finishing long and stoney, this a remarkable wine for the price. 

Drink 2024 - 2030

Adam Bruntlett, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd

Something that sprung to mind immediately with this wine was sweet maple pecan pastries; the nose is so bright, showcasing red apple, orange and honey. The palate is dry, full-bodied, and well-rounded. In this cooler vintage, its undeniable appeal lies in its refreshing acidity and the distinctive tension of its phenolics. Delicious! 

Drink 2024 - 2032

Joshua Friend, Senior Account Manager, Berry Bros. & Rudd

On the nose and palate, this wine was vibrant. Great fruit flavours with darker fruit as well as blackberry leaf. This slightly hedgerow nature is incredibly autumnal in nature. Slight forest floor notes show a layer of complexity that should not be available in a wine of this price. The length is incredibly respectable, and the balance and friendliness of this wine make it particularly engaging.

Chris Hanssen, Account Manager, Berry Bros. & Rudd (November 2023)

Pierre Précieuses is Alexandre’s flagship cuvée. It is aged 38 months before release, 18 months in barrel and 20 months in stainless steel and undergoes no battonnage during this whole time. The nose is delicate with white flowers, lovely lemon and grapefruit notes, and juicy, fresh quince.

The finesse and freshness are striking on the palate, whilst having a great consistency and body. Plenty of citrus peel and grapefruit bitterness is balanced with honey, buttery notes, and some sweet spices, and it is truly complex. These bursts of intense flavours are perfectly balanced through a very lifted palate and impressive fruit precision. Utterly delicious.

Yoan Bernard, Fine Wine Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd

This wine has a distinct ripeness and richness—quite a marmalade, quince and orange peel characteristic on the nose. The palate is quite opulent and rich, with more sour stone fruit, preserved lemon and a slight herbal note towards the end. There is a great deal happening on the palate. There is a noted salinity here with a tartness, almost tannic nature to it.

Drink 2024 - 2033

Berry Bros. & Rudd

This 2.5h plot is located closest to the winery and has a complex clay, loam and sand topsoil before the vines’ roots hit the limestone. The cuvee undergoes 42 months of ageing, the longest of all cuvees. The nose is very complex and deep with aromas of apricot, rhubarb, quince and baked apples with a touch of cinnamon.

The palate has an underlining salinity, giving the wine great freshness and an extra dimension to the fresh tropical fruits and floral notes. It is very expansive on the mid-palate with a great acid structure. This wine is very giving and has an impressive balance, encapsulating huge complexity.

Yoan Bernard, Fine Wine Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd

The 2019 Gewürztraminer from Domaine Rolly-Gassmann shines with a pale golden hue and captivating roses, jasmine, and lychee aromas. Its palate boasts luscious lychee, peach, and apricot, complemented by a delightful white pepper and ginger spiciness. Well-balanced with impeccable acidity, it finishes elegantly, leaving lingering floral and fruity impressions. Perfect alone or paired with spicy Asian dishes, creamy cheeses, or decadent desserts.

Berry Bros. & Rudd

The historic Domaine Rolly Gassmann dates back to the 17^th century. The 2019 growing season allowed the grapes to ripen gradually, resulting in a wine of perfect balance and freshness. The nose is intense, bright and enticing, with lemon sherbet and orange blossom. Upon tasting, there’s refreshing acidity and notes of citrus and stone-fruit, cushioned by a hint of sweetness that demands another sip. With a clean and saline finish, this is best enjoyed with fish or grilled-cheese dishes.

Drink 2023 - 2026

Katie Merry, Assistant Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd

Brilliant ruby. High-pitched, mineral-tinged aromas of fresh dark berries and pungent flowers show outstanding clarity and lift. Smooth, sweet and energetic on the palate, offering intense blackberry and floral pastille flavors sharpened by an exotic Asian spice flourish. The extremely long, focused finish is given shape by smooth tannins that sneak in slowly.

Josh Raynolds, Vinous.com (April 2016)

The 2020 Moulin-à-Vent Les Brussellions has a much more backward, earthier nose than its peers. Maybe this is going through a sultry phase. The palate is a little stalky on the entry but fresh and has a strong salinity on the finish that I like. Give it 2-3 years in bottle.

Drink 2025 - 2036

Neal Martin, Vinous.com (November 2021)

Two of the three parcels here are on the appellation’s emblematic pink granite (Gros Vosges and Les Hantes), the third on deeper clay (Verre Mann). There’s 20% whole-bunch; the wine is vinified in 600-litre casks and cuve. The vines are over 50 years old and gobelet-trained. This has attractive grainy spice around its fresh blackberry fruit.

Drink 2022 - 2030

Berry Bros. & Rudd

This fabulous traditional method sparkling wine is made in the Haute-Savoie village of Ayse from 100% Gringet, a rare local grape endemic to this region. The lemon gold colour and fine bubbles suggest this is a cut above many sparkling wines. This is confirmed on the nose with hints of yellow apple, pear and cape gooseberry mingling superbly with notes of bread and brioche.

The crisp, fresh palate has a delicate yellow peach and sweet apple edge. The freshness is wonderful, a signature quality of wines made from Gringet, and really lifts this lovely fizz on the bright, energetic finish.

Drink now to 2032 

Catriona Felstead MW, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd (July 2023)

What struck us about this wine was the freshness and exuberance of black fruits. The wine sang of Black Forest Gateaux and had a fantastic crunchy finish. Indeed, it is a wine to enjoy immediately or approach in a couple of years. Beautiful!

Berry Bros. & Rudd

We are very proud of this crisp and refreshing white wine. A fine, fresh nose of yellow apple and pear leads on to an exceptionally mineral palate with a light yellow-peach character and singing freshness. Made from 100% Chardonnay, this really over-delivers for a wine at this price. It is layered, complex and utterly delicious.

Drink now

Catriona Felstead MW, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd

This is an ephemeral cuvée of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Savagnin, because of the problems with the 2021 vintage. The 2021 5 Étoiles is a light ouillé white that is quite light and fresh, with 13% alcohol. It was bottled in October 2022 after an élevage of 12 months in foudre. 3,618 bottles were produced.

Drink 2023 - 2029

Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate (July 2023)

This is a delightful and fresh Pinot Noir vibrating with enchanting fruit-driven notes. From Bourgogne's natural wine legend Yann Durieux, it’s a 100% Pinot Noir from selected parcels near the commune of Villers-la-Faye, not far from Les Grands Ponts, on the border between Hautes Côtes de Nuits and Hautes Côtes de Beaune. Natural wild fermentation, and nothing added or taken away, with no hint of added SO2.

The 2011 Cote Rotie la Turque is about as seamless and sexy as wine gets, and this cuvee continues to put on weight and richness with every passing year. Offering a monstrous nose of Asian spices, kirsch liqueur, blackcurrants, pepper and smoked meats, this full-bodied Cote Rotie has layers of sweet tannin, no hard edges and a killer finish. It's already hard to resist today, but has three decades of prime drinking to go.
Jeb Dunnuck - 28/12/2016

A step up over the other two single vineyard releases, the 2011 Cote Rotie la Landonne is an incredible wine that knocks it out of the park in the vintage. Its inky purple/ruby color is followed by to-die-for notes of cassis, black olives, truffles, graphite and crushed rock. Full-bodied, massively concentrated, thick and unctuous, it has the vintages flamboyant fruit profile, yet backs it up with a stacked mid-palate, serious amounts of tannin and a finish that just wont quite. Its relatively approachable now due to its glycerin and fat, yet needs a decade of cellaring and will knock your socks off over the following two decades or more.
Jeb Dunnuck - 31/12/2015

Nady Foucault working here on a consultation basis brings the obvious question, ‘Will this estate be the next Clos Rougeard?’. You get a hint of that ethereal nature in this cuvée, and that’s no surprise given the immense care taken, including four levels of sorting after harvest. 

Bright red cherry, raspberry and violets greet you in the glass and are carried by fine ripe tannins and zippy acidity. A garrigue and spicy nature complements the taut fresh notes and gives you a refreshing and clean finish. This is an instantly enjoyable Cabernet Franc that I’ve no doubt will continue to evolve and add further complexity over the next 10+ years. 

Drink 2024 - 2035

James Belok, Private Client Manager, Berry Bros. & Rudd

Deep crimson. Lots of fruit and a little chew – and lots of vitality. Great taffeta texture. Would be a gem to find in Paris, where so much Saumur-Champigny is sold.

Drink 2023 - 2029

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com (September 2023)

Twenty percent of this wine was made in barrel this year, with the remainder in tank to preserve the purity and freshness of the fruit. There is a pronounced spicy character here, which Anatole de la Brosse says is typical of the vineyard. Beneath the spice is rich and perfumed fruit, which follows on the palate with pleasing generosity, caressing tannins and a fine, refreshing finish.

Drink now to 2032

Adam Bruntlett, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd

Named after his daughter, who was born just as the harvest began for this wine, Mademoiselle’ M’ is made from vines grown in richer and more structured Kimmeridgian-limestone soils. The nose is fat and buttery, with a burst of bruised apple, candied lemon peel, lychee and a hint of honey.

Aged over a total of 36 months (with 18 in wooden barrels), this has a sumptuous texture that balances the overwhelming minerality from the terroir. Probably my favourite from the lineup, the balance of exotic fruit and a rich umami flavour is unlike anything I’ve had before. The finish lengthens after every sip, culminating in a crisp orchard fruit finale.

Henrietta Gullifer, Account Manager, Berry Bros. & Rudd

This first nose reminiscent of grilled popcorn (marker of the effect of autolysis of yeasts during aging), quince, candied lemon and straw. On the palate, perfect balance and sapid minerality.

Our Reserve Red is a blend of Merlot and Syrah, with a notable dash of Pinot Noir to add elegance. The bright, fresh aromas of ripe red and black cherries give way to a delicious palate of crunchy yet smooth flavours: raspberries, redcurrants and summer pudding, with a twist of black pepper. Chill this down for a delicious and wonderfully refreshing summer red.

Catriona Felstead MW, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd

Delicately pale in colour, this rosé is elegant and pure, with fresh strawberry aromas complemented by hints of mint and raspberry tea. The flavours on the palate are oh-so-subtle: hints of wild strawberries mingling with a stony purity. A proportion of Cinsault brings a herbal lift to the crisp, refreshing finish.

Catriona Felstead MW, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd

Bright ruby red color, the nose expresses complex hints of berries such as black currant, blackberry, slightly smoky and mineral notes. In the mouth it is fresh with delicate tannins, good balance and long sip that ends in a mineral finish..

100% Cabernet Franc. As with the Moulins Blanc, this new label was created to provide a home to Guiberteu's organic-in-conversion vineyards. The vines are mostly located in Montreuil-Bellay, with an inclusion of a healthy portion of old-vine fruit from a recently acquired parcel on the Brézé hill. The vines vary in age from seven to 80 years.

The 2017 Saumur Brézé Les Arboises, from the south-facing monopole that was planted on sand and silt topsoil over limestone bedrock in 1957, opens deep, intense and toasty on the concentrated and refreshing mineral, smoky and bloody nose that needs a lot of time to integrate its fruity aromas. Fermented in concrete and aged in barrels (80% new, 20% one year old) for 18 months, this is a full-bodied, silky, fresh and unadorned Cabernet Franc from 60-year-old vines. The finish is dry and clear but not extraordinarily complex or long. Honestly, I find this style too oaky, and on the finish, I miss a certain intensity, complexity and length, but I admit I don’t have experience with older vintages. Tasted in May 2021. - 92 Points - Stephan Reinhardt, The Wine Advocate.

This is hugely impressive wine that has dark fruit character and huge tannic structure. Despite its impressive size, the whole thing feels so elegant and fine. Although it is Cabernet Franc, it is decidedly more Burgundy than you would expect. With a bit of opening and breathing in a decanter for a few hours it opens up showing its minerality.

100% Chenin Blanc. The fruit comes from multiple plots in Saumur, (Montreuil-Bellay, Brézé, and Bizay) Planted and replaced from 1935 to 2008.

The grapes are whole cluster pressed and fermented with indigenous yeast with a mix of large format barrels and stainless steel.

{***}
{region}Sancerre{region}
{color}White{color}
{vintage}2018{vintage}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}

{ratings}{ratings}

{***}

Saumur Blanc: sourced from young vines from Clos des Cârmes and Clos de Guichaux, as well as old vines from the lower slopes of the Coteaux de Brézé. Manual harvest; slow, gentle whole bunch pressing. Fermentation with natural yeast in 2-4 year old barriques. Matured in tank until the Spring following the harvest. Light filtration only at bottling.

{***}
{region}Sancerre{region}
{color}White{color}
{vintage}2019{vintage}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now, but can keep{maturity-text}

{ratings}{ratings}

{***}

100% Chenin Blanc. The fruit comes from multiple plots in Saumur, (Montreuil-Bellay, Brézé, and Bizay) Planted and replaced from 1935 to 2008.

The grapes are whole cluster pressed and fermented with indigenous yeast with a mix of large format barrels and stainless steel.

{***}
{region}Sancerre{region}
{color}White{color}
{vintage}2019{vintage}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}

{ratings}{ratings}

{***}

Aromas of lemon peel, green apple, mango with hints of popcorn, butterscotch, flint, hazelnut, wet stone on the nose. Rich and powerful on the palate, great concentration of orchard fruit layered with spice and mineral notes, very complex, fresh acidity, silky texture, a long mineral finish. Will continue to beautifully evolve with age.

{***}
{region}Sancerre{region}
{color}White{color}
{vintage}2017{vintage}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}

{ratings}{ratings}

{***}

100% Cabernet Franc. As with the Moulins Blanc, this new label was created to provide a home to Guiberteu's organic-in-conversion vineyards. The vines are mostly located in Montreuil-Bellay, with an inclusion of a healthy portion of old-vine fruit from a recently acquired parcel on the Brézé hill. The vines vary in age from seven to 80 years.

Our 2021 Reserve White is a wonderful Chardonnay which displays fresh, herbal notes of lemon verbena on the nose along with citronelle and lemon balm. The palate is restrained and subtle, but gorgeously fresh and vibrant. White almonds are complemented by a twist of sage, marjoram and thyme. The wine is full of a taut energy which leads to a delectably refreshing, salty and mineral finish. 

Catriona Felstead MW, Senior Wine Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd

A chiselled and focussed expression of Chenin Blanc. Pure lemon, white blossom, stony minerality, a chalky dry finished with a concentrated acid backbone.

{***}
{region}Sancerre{region}
{color}White{color}
{vintage}2020{vintage}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}

{ratings}{ratings}

{***}

Saumur Blanc: sourced from young vines from Clos des Cârmes and Clos de Guichaux, as well as old vines from the lower slopes of the Coteaux de Brézé. Manual harvest; slow, gentle whole bunch pressing. Fermentation with natural yeast in 2-4 year old barriques. Matured in tank until the Spring following the harvest. Light filtration only at bottling.

{***}
{region}Sancerre{region}
{color}White{color}
{vintage}2018{vintage}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now, but can keep{maturity-text}

{ratings}{ratings}

{***}

The Saumur Blanc Breze is sourced from two old vine parcels of Chenin Blanc planted in 1933 & 1952. 1.2 hectares in total. Brézé is not typical Saumur at all. The vineyards are at a higher elevation than most of the surrounding area and sit directly on a hill of tuffeau—a porous, chalky limestone intermixed with clay and sand. Something like 70% of the vineyard has less than one metre of topsoil so the vines of any age must establish roots in the chalky bedrock. This terroir creates a far more citrus, floral and mineral expression of Chenin. Even in ripe and powerful vintages, the wines remain cool, pure and fresh.

{***}
{region}Sancerre{region}
{color}White{color}
{vintage}2018{vintage}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now, but can keep{maturity-text}

{ratings}{ratings}

{***}

The Saumur Blanc Breze is sourced from two old vine parcels of Chenin Blanc planted in 1933 & 1952. 1.2 hectares in total. Brézé is not typical Saumur at all. The vineyards are at a higher elevation than most of the surrounding area and sit directly on a hill of tuffeau—a porous, chalky limestone intermixed with clay and sand. Something like 70% of the vineyard has less than one metre of topsoil so the vines of any age must establish roots in the chalky bedrock. This terroir creates a far more citrus, floral and mineral expression of Chenin. Even in ripe and powerful vintages, the wines remain cool, pure and fresh.

{***}
{region}Sancerre{region}
{color}White{color}
{vintage}2018{vintage}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now, but can keep{maturity-text}

{ratings}{ratings}

{***}

This cool and elegant Sancerre is made for us by 10th-generation vigneron David Sautereau. The nose is fresh and mineral, with citrus fruits mingling with crushed stone. In the mouth, the attack is precise, crisp and energetic, with pleasing mid-palate weight and a saline finish. This is excellent with fresh seafood or the local crottin de Chavignol goat’s cheese.

Drink 2024 - 2026

Adam Bruntlett, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd