The Centre Loire region is predominantly celebrated for its Sauvignon Blanc, especially from Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, yet it also produces notable red wines, chiefly from Pinot Noir. Surprisingly, before phylloxera, Sancerre was mainly known as a red wine area.
During a recent tasting, several impressive red wines stood out:
-
Domaine Serge Laloue Sancerre Rouge 2022: This wine is both supple and fine, boasting sweet red cherry and strawberry flavors and elegant herby notes, reflecting nice weight and balance. Rating: 92/100.
-
Henri Bourgeois Pinot Noir Sancerre Rouge 2022: Exhibiting a fine and direct profile, it presents a sappy nose and bright fruity palate, showcasing sweet cherries and raspberries with a stony undertone. Rating: 93/100.
-
Jean-Marie Reverdy & Fils Sancerre Rouge La Villandière 2022: This wine is characterized by a textural quality and a rounded core of sweet cherries and berries, complemented by layers of sweet strawberry. Rating: 93/100.
-
Domaine Chalutier Reuilly Rouge Saint-Vincent 2022: Sweet and ripe with a hint of herbal complexity, it offers great energy and acidity along with notes of rhubarb. Rating: 91/100.
-
Domaine Pellé Menetou-Salon Morogues Les Cris Monopole 2020: A bold wine with ripe, concentrated flavors of sweet raspberry and cherry, it shows some warmth and a hint of spiciness. Rating: 92/100.
-
Domaines Minchin La Tour Saint-Martin Menetou-Salon Pommerais 2022: Silky smooth with luscious raspberry and cherry fruits, it carries soft strawberry notes and an abundance of ripe flavors. Rating: 92/100.
-
Domaine Villargeau Coteaux du Giennois 2022: This wine offers a supple mouthfeel with stony minerality and sweet red cherries, finished with a savory twist. Rating: 91/100.
-
Domaine Siret-Courtaud Châteaumeillant 2022: Originating from a modest AOC of only 90 hectares, it features lovely red cherry and plum fruits, finishing with a well-structured touch of sour cherry. Rating: 92/100.
-
Domaine Hubert Origines Chateaumeillant 2021: This wine stands out for its juiciness and brightness, showcasing delightful red cherry and raspberry notes, along with a mineral aspect and an impressive finish. Rating: 94/100.
For more on these wines and the region, visit Wine Anorak.