Garenne Sancerre “Esprit” rouge 2018

Garenne makes less than 200 cases of this wine per year, and the current release 2018 is lovely. The nose shows cinnamon, cloves, rose petals, and intense cherry liqueur. The oak comes across as spice and smoothness. The mouth is punchy and silky with well built tannins that have weathered their time in barrel beautifully.

We taste a lot of wine, particularly Pinot Noir — but even we can be surprised from time to time. This is a surprisingly attractive non-Burgundy Pinot Noir with nice depth and a summer weight.