2023 Domaine Daniel Chotard, Sancerre Blanc, Loire Valley, France.
In my prior reviews I’ve noted that Daniel Chotard, imported by Kermit Lynch, is a top artisan Loire Valley producer, making fine Sauvignon Blanc wines from Sancerre, as seen here, and he also makes a stunning Pinot Noir too, both of which are great values. This 2023 Sancerre Blanc release is mineral and chalk intense with loads of bright citrus and tangy peach fruits, in an exciting fresh example of terroir driven and racy Sauvignon Blanc with a purity of form, nice texturally and zesty from start to finish. The lighter framed palate grabs your attention with lemon/lime, gooseberry, bitter stone pit, wet stones and crisp acidity, making for a stylish, but very authentic old school Sancerre that goes great with food, especially sea foods and soft cheeses.

The Chotard family has been making wine for well over two hundred years in the Loire Valley and Daniel is a huge star in Sancerre, though still flying under the radar to some extent, which keeps the price of his wine in the reasonable realm. This outstanding Sancerre wine comes from vines set on the regions classic clay, limestone and Kimmeridgian marl soils, which brings out a sense place and complexity. The vinification is done in a combination of temperature-controlled stainless steel tank and used wood foudre, which allows for complete transparency and an extra dimension in terms of mouth feel. Daniel employs all organic methods in the vineyards and in the cellar he goes with natural yeast after a 3 day cold soak settling, the wine sees no malos, but is lees aged until bottling, adding depth, as this 2023 shows.
($35 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive

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