Sancerre blanc „Chambrates“ AOC 2022

Wine description for Sancerre blanc „Chambrates“ AOC 2022 by Matthias Planchon

Colour & Appearance

Intense straw yellow, reflecting the concentration and ripeness of the vintage – a visual foretaste of the density that characterises this wine.

Nose

Remarkably cool and precise for a 2022 – testament to Planchon’s uncompromising purism. The nose reveals white flowers, citrus fruits in yellow and green hues, alongside mineral notes of flint and salt. Subtle iodine hints and herbal aromas lend the bouquet a maritime freshness. The noble restraint recalls the finest Chablis – here the terroir speaks, not the fruit.

Palate

On the palate, a fascinating dichotomy unfolds: the bright, citric fruitiness of Sauvignon Blanc meets Burgundian texture and depth. The refined acidity carries the wine effortlessly, whilst the discreet use of amphorae and 600-litre casks provides structure without dominance. Multi-layered, elegant, with precisely defined fullness – this is Sancerre at its finest, marrying the lightness of the Loire with the seriousness of the Côte d’Or.

Finish

Long, saline-mineral with lingering citrus notes and a refreshing coolness that invites the next sip. The fine lees ageing over two years leaves a creamy texture that resonates on the palate for hours afterwards.

Terroir & Origin

The Chambrates vineyard site on the cooler plateau above Le Paradis offers ideal conditions: Jurassic limestone from the Oxfordian (150 million years old) with up to 90 cm of topsoil for optimal water retention. The iron-rich clay, rich in cailottes and fossilised slate fragments, imparts the wine’s characteristic minerality. The elevated position creates a microclimate with warm days and cool nights.

Grape Variety & Vinification

100% Sauvignon Blanc, hand-harvested. Slow pressing, 36-hour pre-clarification at below 10°C, then spontaneous fermentation 40% in stainless steel, 60% in amphorae and wood. Two years‘ ageing on fine lees, a further year in stainless steel. Unfiltered, bottled according to the lunar cycle – uncompromising minimalism.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Oysters, scallops, pike-perch in butter sauce, regional goat’s cheese, asparagus with Hollandaise sauce, sushi or ceviche.

Special Characteristics

A Sancerre that defies conventional expectations – more Burgundy than Loire, more meditation than aperitif. The three-year total maturation period before bottling is extraordinary and imparts the wine with a complexity that renders it suitable for cellaring for a further 5-10 years.