Sancerre Blanc Les Romains 2016 150cl

The 2016 Sancerre Les Romains opens with a deep and intense, beautifully floral and herbal bouquet indicating a first maturity and revealing white fruit aromas and some coolish flinty-marly notes. The combination of cool (terroir) and warmth (sun) is really fascinating here. On the palate, the wine is dense yet immediately mature in flavors and fruit aromas, whereas the finish is lively fresh and tensioned, developing good length and stimulating grip and salinity. This is a fascinating wine that should develop with air. So, a carafe is more helpful than a big glass—a wide Burgundy glass should be perfect in any case.

A piercing rapier of a wine, with a dry, chiseled feel to the flint, chalk and chive notes that remain steely and focused through the finish. A light verbena hint echoes at the very end. Drink now through 2021. 510 cases made.  –JM