Sancerre Chavignol Authentique 2021

Pré-commande, arrivage en juin

100% Sauvignon Blanc. Initialement étiqueté simplement "Sancerre", L'Authentique est la mise en bouteille multi-parcelles de Thomas-Labaille. Toutes les vignes sont sur les sols calcaires kimméridgiens de Chavignol et ont en moyenne vingt-cinq ans; ils sont cultivés de manière durable et récoltés à la main. Le vin est fermenté avec des levures indigènes dans des cuves en fibre de verre et ciment, élevé sur ses lies en cuves inox pendant quatre à six mois et mis en bouteille sans filtration.

Wine Advocate : 90+ : Sancerre Authentique – Labaille’s basic cuvee; partly machine-harvested unlike his Mont Damnés; and tasted initially in its first and quite recent bottling – offers subtly fusil, smoky, and chalky notes as well as mint and basil over a base of ripely aromatic and eventually succulent kiwi and grapefruit. Lusciously striking a balance between richness and vivacity, not to mention giving the mineral kingdom more than its due, this disappoints just slightly for being inexplicably (clearly not for reasons of cork taint, but possibly from bottling fatigue) less persistent than the impressions that preceded its chalk and citrus rind-inflected finish had led me to anticipate. But it’s early days for a wine that is sure in any case to give lots of pleasure over at least the next three years.