Vincent Pinard Sancerre Chêne Marchand 2022

‘The 2022 Chêne Marchand is a richly fruited wine offering creamy notes and ripe peach fruit. While it's an opulent style for a Sancerre, it never becomes heavy, plus it has an almost tannic edge, providing a frame and reassuring structure that grips the palate, suggesting that this has longevity. There's a fine, briny character throughout. Having tasted the killer 1996 vintage a few minutes afterward, you can be sure this wine has a long life ahead.’ 93 points, Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous, July 2024.

'Brothers Clement and Florent Pinard are the 15th generation (or so they think – they wouldn’t stake their lives on it) to run the family domaine in the village of Bué. They’re young and dynamic and obtained biodynamic certification in 2017. The Pinards have created their own yeast starter and are restrained in their use of sulfur. They are often one of the first in the village to harvest, which they put down to farming the vineyard organically for more than 15 years. In recent warm vintages (2018, 2019 and 2020), they have achieved harmony when others have struggled. The domaine has an enviable list of the top sites in the appellation including both the Petit and Grand Chemarin vineyards and Le Chêne Marchand (all on caillottes soils), as well as a wealth of older vines; even its entry-level Florès is produced from 35-year-old plantings. Balance, harmony and elegance are common threads that weave across the range. Large format barrels are employed in varying proportions for all of its cuvées except for Florès, while lees aging builds appetizing texture. One of my go-to Sancerre producers.' Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous, August 2021.