A few weeks ago there was a Sancerre tasting at Weygandt Wines in Washington, DC. They poured 6 different wines, I think my favorite was the Domaine Edmond Vatan Sancerre Clos la Neore 2007. But it retails for about $65 a bottle and the only Sauvignon Blancs I have ever really splurged on were made by Didier Dagueneau — and I am doing what I can to be more value-minded these days. It was very generous of them to pour it — and every time I visit the store I am impressed by the generosity, be it the wines they pour or the time and attention they give their visitors. My initial excitement around the store opening hasn’t subsided and Weygandt is still one of my three or four favorite wine stores in the United States.
They were also pouring the ’08 Pascal and Nicolas Reverdy Sancerre Cuvée Les Coûtes, which I also like a bunch and have written about previously. But my second favorite wine of the tasting after the Clos la Neore was the Gerard et Pierre Morin Sancerre Chêne Marchand 2007.
Pierre Morin’s approach is based on his belief that great wine can only be made from low yields and grapes that are harvested by hand. In every vintage (with his severe pruning and selection at harvest); on average, Morin has a meager 40 hl/ha. For his American importer he sets aside the wine from his oldest vines from various parcels, including the Chêne Marchand which makes the richest most intense wine he offers.
Beautiful aromatics of orchard fruit with some citrus and white peach. On the palate, lots of citrus with tart green apple and a little salt and almond. Chalky minerality, crisp acidity and prolonged finish. Also a memorable wine in terms of richness and intensity — as well as purity and focus. 13% alcohol. Imported by Weygandt-Metzler. Recommended.
