Harvest began in mid-August for Crémant wines, while for most wines it began after some welcome rains at the end of the month, in fine September weather. June was disappointing, with hail affecting Reuilly, Menetou-Salon and Chateaumeillant July began cool, but turned very warm August was hot. Late April and May remained very warm, with flowering in early May (two weeks ahead of the ten-year average). March and April were alternately warm and cool, with budbreak around April 5th, eight days in advance of the ten-year average. Winter 2019-20 was the warmest ever recorded in the Loire valley, with periods of intense rain that left soils fully replenished. The intensity and vivacity of the best white wines puts them a notch above the supple, fruity red wines. Fine September and October weather helped salvage the harvest. There was another warm spell in mid-August but the rest of the month remained cool and challenging. Flowering went well during a brief interlude of warmth in June, but June and July were otherwise cold and wet, and mildew caused further damage. In the Nantes region and in parts of Anjou, losses of 70% to 90% were common, but all regions (including Sancerre, often protected from frosts by its steep slopes) were affected. It's a very special wine and one that totally blew my staff and I away.The weather pattern of the 2021 season in the Loire Valley reflected that of other northern French regions – though the frost problems of early April (and, in parts of the Loire, mid-April and early May too) were even more crippling here than elsewhere. Give it some air and don't drink it too cold if you want to experience the wine at its fullest potential. The wonderful flavors linger for a good 30+ seconds. As good as the bouquet is, this really shows its class and sophistication on the palate. Full-bodied and focused, this glides across the palate with notes of ripe lemon, baked pear, and mango, finishing with a complex smoky, flinty nuance. The nose offers up a wonderful mix of ripe pear, lemon curd, citrus zest, flint, and wet rock. One whiff and one sip, and you'll know you're dealing with some pretty serious stuff here. The combination of old vines, low yields, a great vintage, and extended aging is what gives this wine that extra degree of nuance and class that can only be found in the best wines of the world. Produced from Fournier's oldest vines grown in the pebbly, chalky soils of Verdigny, this one is fermented in stainless steel and spends an extended 12 months aging on the lees before bottling.
From the first sniff to the last sip, this is a white wine that delights the senses.ĭespite its richness, I promise you this still has plenty of energy and nerve.
Far from it, this is full, rich, concentrated, and incredibly nuanced. This is not your average version of this Sauvignon Blanc-based wine. All I can say is they picked the right name for this wine because it is one of the "grandest" Sancerres I've ever had the pleasure of sipping. Today, the domaine is recognized as one of the best in the region, and this is their top Sancerre cuvee. Founded in 1926 by Helene and Leon Fournier, the couple were instrumental in helping Sancerre achieve AOC status in 1936. 2018 Domaine Fournier Sancerre 'Grande Cuvee'ĭomaine Fournier's history is closely intertwined with the history of Sancerre and with the establishment of Sancerre as one of the most prestigious zones in the Loire Valley, in France, and in the world.
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