2017 Sancerre Rouge Belle Dame

Vacheron's red 2017 Sancerre Belle Dame opens remarkably aromatic and ripe, with stewed or baked fruit aromas on the nose, tending toward plums rather than berries and a touch of caramel. With more aeration, the wine gets more precise, more flinty and piquant and reveals fresh cherry and potted strawberry aromas. Silky on the palate opening, this is a full-bodied, rich intense and persistent Pinot Noir with impressive concentration, freshness and finesse. What irritates me a bit: I would even accept it in a German Pinot Noir tasting not because of the oaky flavors (which I don't pick up here excessively) but due to the freshness, fruit profile and rather grippy finish. Fürst's Centgrafenberg comes to my mind, and that's meant as a compliment. Burgundy is widening its wings. Tasted in February 2021.