Pinard Brothers Sancerre Echoes 2023

This first wine comes from the vines of their cousin Jean-Vincent Pinard in the village of Amigny which is located between Bué and Chavignol. The vineyard is worked organically (not yet certified). Vinification for this wine is similar to that of Florès, using their own natural yeast, ageing in large neutral wooden vats for 6 months, minimal sulphur during élevage (volcanic sulphur, handmade by the Pinards).

Bottled without fining in April 2024 it shows great finesse and is deliciously approachable now with an intriguing note of tangerine and a hint of phenolics making for a beautifully structured Sancerre.

'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.