Sancerre blanc „Le Paradis“ AOC 2022

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

Colour & Appearance

Intense straw yellow with slightly green reflections – a wine that already promises vitality and freshness to the eye.

Nose

Expressive and complex, this sunny 2022 vintage presents itself with distinction. The nose reveals orange blossom and white berries, complemented by ripe white-fleshed fruits and even hints of yellow-fleshed fruits. Citric notes and fresh herbs lend the bouquet vibrancy and floral elegance.

Palate

On the palate, Le Paradis displays a remarkable balance between ripeness and freshness. Physalis, carambola, blackcurrant and elderflower meld with greengage and grapefruit. The lively acidity is carried by a silky texture and a rounded mouthfeel, whilst mineral notes and stone underline the crisp, energetic side of the wine. A wine with juice, richness and precision.

Finish

Persistently fresh with vibrant minerality and a fine herbal spice that lingers long on the palate.

Terroir & Origin

The 0.9-hectare parcel sits on a steep south-facing slope of the 14-hectare Le Paradis vineyard site. The Jurassic limestone of marine origin from the Oxfordian period (150 million years old) shows only 30 to 45 cm of topsoil with little humus, but abundant cailottes – yellowish limestone pebbles and small limestone plates. The high planting density of 7,700 vines per hectare and the average vine age of 57 years guarantee concentration and depth.

Grape Variety & Vinification

100% Sauvignon Blanc, hand-harvested and gently pressed in a pneumatic press. After 36 hours of pre-clarification at below 10 °C, spontaneous fermentation takes place 40% in stainless steel tanks and 60% in amphorae and 600-litre barrels. Two years of ageing on fine lees in the same vessels, followed by a further year in stainless steel, impart complexity and structure to the wine. Unfiltered and bottled according to the lunar cycle.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Pan-fried zander with herb butter, scallops with lemongrass, goat’s cheese from the region, asparagus with Hollandaise sauce or seafood risotto.

Special Characteristics

An authentic Sancerre with depth, bearing the hallmark of Matthias Planchon: purist, terroir-driven and without oenological tricks. The extended ageing period and work with amphorae lend this wine an extraordinary texture and complexity.