Sancerre has always been the star of the Loire Valley. Though recent years have seen more interest in the region’s other appellations, Sancerre remains the best known and among the best-liked. It’s popular, easy to drink, easy to pronounce, and pairs well with lots of dishes.
Today’s wine is classic Sancerre — mineral, bright, refreshing and balanced… it just happens to be red. Nearly a quarter of the appellation is planted to Pinot Noir. Like the Sauvignon Blanc used to make white Sancerre, Pinot Noir deftly and elegantly expresses the minerality of Sancerre’s terroir.
The whites of the Domaine de la Garenne have already received a warm welcome from our readers — they’re cool, lively, refreshing, full of intensity and elegance. Garenne’s Sancerre rouge is in the same line: beautiful ripe fruit, excellent mineral freshness, and a smooth, unoaked finish.
If the words “Sancerre rouge” call to mind an unstructured fruit-bomb, think again. There’s indeed beautiful red fruit with violets and honey, but also a complex earthiness, both from stones and forest floor. The smooth, relaxed tannins make this go down surprisingly easily — you’ll be amazed how fast a bottle disappears from your table.
Pinot Noir from Burgundy at $25/bot is essentially a thing of the past. We’re not claiming you’d mistake this for a Bourgogne rouge, but we bet you’ll enjoy it just as much.
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Garenne Sancerre rouge 2017
bottle price: $25
FREE EAST COAST SHIPPING ON ANY 12 BOTTLES
