Wines Sancerre Cherrier Frères - Les Chailloux - 2024

Viniou Reviews

Cherrier Frères' Sancerre "Cuvée Les Chailloux" 2024 is a quintessential expression of Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc. The 2024 vintage, though young, already promises vibrancy and aromatic finesse. This cuvée is sourced from the prized Sancerre AOC, particularly renowned for its "chailloux" soils—a local term for flinty, stony terrains. These soils, coupled with meticulous viticulture, bestow the wine with pronounced minerality, a bright citrus profile, and delicate white flower notes. The grapes are vinified in stainless steel to preserve their freshness, resulting in a dry white wine that is crisp, lively, and elegantly structured.

The Sancerre region, set in the eastern reaches of the Loire Valley's Central Vineyards, benefits from a semi-continental climate. This means warm summers and cool, misty autumns—ideal conditions for Sauvignon Blanc, which thrives in well-drained soils rich in flint, limestone, and clay. Sancerre has a storied history as a white wine capital, producing some of France’s most revered Sauvignon Blancs since the late nineteenth century. The region's legacy is intimately tied to its unique terroir, which imparts the grape with unmatched minerality and complexity.

Pairing this Sancerre with food is a true pleasure. Its zesty acidity and limestone-driven minerality make it a natural companion for fresh goat’s cheese, the region’s classic Crottin de Chavignol being a sublime match. It also shines alongside seafood such as oysters, langoustines, and delicate white fish, bringing out the sweet brininess of the dishes. For a more local touch, consider pairing it with pike in a beurre blanc sauce or a salad of local asparagus and vinaigrette.

To fully appreciate the nuances and refreshing bouquet of the 2024 "Les Chailloux," serve it chilled between 8 and 10°C. This temperature showcases its aromatic vibrancy and crisp mouthfeel while allowing the subtle mineral notes to unfold gracefully on the palate. Enjoy it within its youth to best savour its lively character.