Sancerre Monoparcelle 469, Domaine Riffault, Claude 2020

The 2020 Sancerre Monoparcelle 469 is one of the most come-hither Sancerres you are ever going to taste; you could end up staring endlessly into this wine just being satisfied and seduced by its elegant demeanor. Don't expect a whole load of aromas, this is not an aromatic Sauvignon Blanc, but a wine that offers fine textured and a dill-like purity that suffuses the wine. Precise, intellectual Sancerre, carefully made with love.

Tasted as a sample in January 2022, the golden-yellow 2020 Sancerre Monoparcelle 469 is pure but intense and utterly iodine-scented and flinty on the nose, with notes of crushed stones, cumquats and refreshing lemon juice as well as intense white and green fruit. This is just fascinating again (after the superb 2019) in its terroir expression. On the palate, this is a rich but elegant, juicy, finely textured and tannic Sancerre with lychee and tropical stone fruit aromas as well as the fine and elegant mineral character of a classic Sancerre. The finish is long, intense and fresh, with tangy notes and the mineral and tannic grip of a great, promising wine that is still developing. The 2020 might be even better than the 2019, but time will tell. I'd definitely opt for it. To be bottled in March this year. Drink 2024-2037