Bernard Fleuriet et Fils - 'Les Saurins' Sancerre Rouge 2023
(Sancerre, Loire, France) 100% Pinot Noir. This wine spends three to four weeks in oak, and then is aged for amphora for one year. Fresh on the palate with layers of strawberry and red cherry, violet florals, and subtle spice, complemented by structured by silky tannins and a sure, persistent finish. The Fleuriet estate started out as a mere 1.5ha of Sauvignon Blanc planted by Bernard in the early 90s, but as the family got more involved, they grew the estate to a sprawling 35ha of vines, planted across Sancerre and the Menetou-Salon region and encompassing all three (clay, soil and limestone) soils of the region. The vineyards are now certified both organic and biodynamic, producing low yields of an astonishing purity and quality.