2010 Domaine Daulny, Sancerre “Le Clos de Chauden” Loire Valley, France.
Etienne Daulny’s Sancerre “Le Clos de Chauden” is an impressive and stunning Sauvignon Blanc that merits lots of attention and high praise with almost Dagueneau like complexities and better still is the price and ease of drinking right now. The is a lovely richness to this wine that makes it stand out, but still has plenty of fresh tension and acidic backbone to thrill anyone with outstanding mineral and chalky layers that fit sublimely with the laser sharp citrus fruit. The nose has a wet stone and floral expression leading to a crisp palate of lemon/lime, gooseberry and tropical essences while that stoney mineral streak shows throughout with notes of grapefruit and apple linger on. This Sancerre is pure and vibrant with classic intensity and energy, this is a great Loire white that I highly recommend looking for. Another brilliant wine discovered by Charles Neal, importer, who is on a roll these days with a great lineup of estate made European wines by artisan winemakers.
($25 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive

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