Jancis Robinson calls Sancerre ‘the Loire’s most famous ambassador’. Regarded as the spiritual home of Sauvignon Blanc, Sancerre’s rolling limestone hills and semi-continental climate deliver richly-textured Sauvignon Blancs known for their distinctive mineral character, vibrant acidity and long-ageing potential. We’re delighted to offer limited Sancerres from two brilliant, historical and organically-farmed domaines.

From one of the oldest established families in Sancerre, Domaine Vacheron is run by Jean-Dominique Vacheron and his cousin Jean-Laurent. ‘Vacheron is surely one of the highlights in the Sancerrois,’ writes the Wine Advocate. Each cuvée from Vacheron has laser-like focus, whilst the two single-vineyards show another level of intensity and power.

Domaine Denizot, run by 8^th generation vigneron Thibault Denizot, is a rising star in the appellation. Not only do the wines offer fine definition and character, but also offer terrific value!

The Vacherons cultivate 47 ha in Sancerre, mostly on silex (flint) and chalky soils. Their entry-level 2018 ‘is anything but’ says Wine Enthusiast. It is striking and steely with beautifully pure aromatics. The 2017 Vacheron Sancerre Le Paradis is a single-vineyard wine from a very steep, south-facing slope with rocky limestone soils. Aged in large wooden vats for at least 12 months, this is a precise wine which shows more floral and citrus notes than the 2017 Vacheron Sancerre Les Romains. The latter hails from pure silex (flint) soils, also on south-facing slopes, and shows aromas of smoky flint, coupled with intense power and finesse. The acidity on both wines neatly underscores the aromatics and will allow for good ageing.

From the Denizot’s 19-ha domaine, we offer the 2018 Denizot Sancerre – a fresh, balanced blend of various lieu-dits from 90% caillottes (pure limestone) and 10% terres blanches (chalky clay) soils aged in concrete. From a steep slope (40% gradient!) of caillottes and aged in 600L oak barrels, the 2017 Denizot Sancerre Damoclès is a rich, chiselled wine with beautiful tension and chalky minerality.

Vacheron, Sancerre 2018
This entry-level wine from this producer is anything but. It is a ripe, complex wine, produced from biodynamically grown grapes, rich in white fruits with an intense steely texture. The wine will be ready to drink from 2020. – Wine Enthusiast, 90/100

Vacheron, Sancerre Le Paradis 2017
This single-vineyard wine is packed with fruit along with an herbal, green asparagus flavor and strongly mineral character. Acidity lifts the fruit to another level of intensity, underlining a promising future. Drink from 2020. – Wine Enthusiast, 92/100

Sourced from a 1ha plot on a south-facing slope, on which the roots are in direct contact with the bedrock. There are smoky, flinty notes to the juicy white fruit, showing good concentration on the balanced palate. Should age very well. – Decanter, 92/100

Vacheron, Sancerre Les Romains 2017
Taking its name from the vineyard, this wine is rich while elegantly structured. Fragrant white fruits and acidity are balanced by the mineral edge that is a sign of chalky soil. Produced from biodynamically grown grapes, the wine is powerful and will need some more time. – Wine Enthusiast, 94/100

Restrained flinty nose that has an authoritative feel about it, rather regal in fact. Lively and precise with such freshness and a chalky mouthfeel that then offers a woolen finish. The flinty note crops up again and lingers on the long, distinguished, vibrantly zesty finish. 2019 – 2023. – JancisRobinson.com, 17/20

Denizot, Sancerre 2018
Crisp and very fruity, this wine is refreshingly textured with great acidity and plenty of zingy citrus. Fresh and vivacious, it is ready to drink. – Wine Enthusiast, 89/100

Denizot, Sancerre Damoclès 2017
Fermented and aged in wood for 18 months, this wine is well structured. A strong mineral texture gives it an edgy character that accompanies spice from the wood and the intense, textured white-fruit and herbal flavors. Drink this wine from 2020. – Wine Enthusiast, 92/100