This single-vineyard selection highlights the region’s “terres blanches,” soils that mix chalk and flint, which are widely held to be the best of the best when it comes to Sancerre. You can taste the sea salt, smell the crushed oyster shells and savor the citrus-bright energy and suave texture with each and every sip.
The Cherrier family has been a trusted name in Sancerre since the late 1800s. Here in Chaudoux, north of the village of Sancerre proper, Sauvignon Blanc is equally in its element: soils are a refined mix of flint and chalk, a terroir marriage that makes the best Sancerre so vibrant.
The estate founder, Maurice, planted some of the first vines in the village. His son, Pierre, took over in the 1960s and expanded the family holdings to some 35 acres of prime vineyard land. Today it is Pierre’s sons, François and Jean-Marie, who have taken winemaking at this generations-deep family estate to a whole new level, with terroir-true wines that are stunning values for their high quality.
The jewel in the family’s crown is ‘Croix Poignant,’ a single-vineyard selection of older Sauvignon Blanc vines. Separately, the brothers (under another label; see wine list) have captured a picture-perfect example of this native Loire grape in a new selection from Menetou-Salon.