Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc Wine

The crisp, vibrant style of the cool 2011 vintage plays marvelously into the understated, elegant style of the Sancerre appellation’s namesake château. Bright yellow with gold flashes at the rim, the 2011 Château de Sancerre displays an intense Sauvignon Blanc varietal bouquet of orange flower and wet stone. Vibrant flavors of citrus, melon and stone fruit float above the palate, enlivened by a rush of gentle minerality and crisp acidity toward the finish. A terrific aperitif all by itself, and a match made in heaven with a creamy chevre from our cheese department.

The 2011 Cellier de La Thibaude is an almost perfect cross between the soft, atypically lush style of the 2009, and the crisp, classically structured 2010. Vinified in stainless steel tanks without oak contact, this wine offers vibrant citrus, lemon and lime, and mineral notes on the bouquet; on the palate, notes of fresh grapefruit, yellow apple, and cling peach are nicely set off by brisk, tangy minerality. This is a highly versatile wine, with plenty of freshness for the cocktail hour, but also with sufficient intensity to work at the dinner table.