Sancerre blanc Cuvée Caillottes 2011
An exceptionally sunny spring last year led to expectations of an early harvest, with the vines several weeks in advance. Then a cold wet summer dampened spirits until an Indian summer in September sent barometers, and hopes, soaring. After initial gloom, vignerons were delighted with the final ripening which enabled classical Sancerres to be made – both white and red.
Your exclusive Cuvée Caillottes comes from the middle section of the region where clay and chalky limestone dominate. The surface of the vineyards is carpeted with small white stones – hence the name caillottes – giving the most forward and fruity style of Sancerre with a typical seam of minerality.
Your 2011 vintage is youthful in colour with a greenish tinge. On the nose it is aromatic with herbaceous notes of asparagus, fresh peapod and gooseberry with a tinge of spearmint. In the mouth it is initially fresh and zesty, with crisp, savoury flavours of citrus fruit, pink grapefruit and crunchy apple. The seam of minerality remains like a backbone throughout the wine right through to the finish. This wine has a dual personality; after a year in bottle it will take on weight, offering complex stone fruit and peach flavours, with the stony minerality remaining. As always, it is best drunk within three years of the vintage.
Your Sancerre Cuvée Caillottes naturally makes a marvellous aperitif. However, it is also an incredibly versatile food wine. Do try it with an avocado, crab, shrimp and prawn salad this summer – or perhaps cod steaks in a saffron sauce. A heavenly match is of course a warm salad made with the famous local goat’s cheese, crottin de chavignol.