Sancerre blanc “Le Paradis” AOC 2020

Wine description for Sancerre blanc “Le Paradis” AOC 2020 by Matthias Planchon

Colour & Appearance

Intense straw yellow, dense and glossy in the glass.

Nose

Cool and firm, rather reserved than inviting – with a hint of reduction that dissipates after some time in a decanter. Then notes of jasmine and broom, white and blackcurrants, greengages, lemon, lime and lemon balm emerge. Beneath them lies a mineral tone of lichen on stone and a subtle touch of wood.

Palate

Vibrant, powerful and linear. An unadorned Sauvignon Blanc – where the variety often presents itself as loud and opulent, this wine remains cool and disciplined. Instead, it impresses with structural depth, intensity and a saline, almost steely coolness that Matthias Planchon himself describes as “l’eau de roche” – rock water.

Finish

Long, clear and distinctly mineral, with fine salinity and a taut, persistent finish.

Terroir & Origin

The lieu-dit Le Paradis covers around 14 hectares of Oxfordian limestone with a clay topsoil in Sancerre. Planchon owns just 0.9 hectares here, south-facing, planted with approximately 55-year-old vines at a high density of 7,700 vines per hectare. The Planchon family has been cultivating vineyards in Sancerre since 1573 – an ancestor, Jules Émile Planchon, discovered phylloxera in 1868 and saved European viticulture through grafting onto American rootstocks.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Pure Sauvignon Blanc. After hand harvesting, the grapes are slowly pneumatically pressed and settled for about 36 hours at below 10 °C. Spontaneous fermentation takes place 70% in stainless steel and 30% in 500-litre casks; ageing on the fine lees lasts around ten to twelve months in the same vessels. Bottling follows the lunar cycle. The estate farms organically and biodynamically – certified AB/EU Organic and presumably Biodyvin.

Food Pairings

An ideal partner for goat’s cheese (such as the local Crottin de Chavignol), pan-fried sole fillet, seafood or asparagus with hollandaise sauce. Also a reliable choice with sushi and delicate fish dishes with citrus notes.

Special Features

Rather than relying on aromatic volume, this Sancerre focuses on structure: extended lees ageing lends a silky texture, while the wine simultaneously remains steely and cool. With an annual production of just 22,000 bottles, Planchon is among the smallest producers in the appellation – and with his site-specific approach, one of those who regard Sancerre as a “little Burgundy”. Anyone who appreciates the mineral clarity of Claude Riffault will find much to enjoy here.