2020 Domaine Pastou Sancerre Rouge, Loire Valley, France

ABOUT THIS WINE

With just a handful of acres on “terres blanches,” the chalky, mineral soils that define Sancerre, the Pastou family crafts a medium-bodied, delightful Sancerre Rouge — pure Pinot Noir. Great with charcuterie and a rustic baguette after a long day! Made exclusively in tank, so every bit of rubied, Pinot fruit is expressed without filter.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

The petite village of Sury-en-Vaux, northwest of Sancerre, is the secret home of the extraordinarily character-rich wines of the Pastou family. Winemaker Jean-Marc Pastou for some 30 years has followed a singular calling to make the most honest and terroir-true Sancerre his few acres will give.

His vineyards sit at the highest point in the village, and his older vines (that he planted himself) grow on perfect terroir: the classic chalky stones and flinty soils which give Sancerre its characteristic zip.

We choose from the family’s few temperature-controlled tanks the most expressive, older-vine Sancerre Blanc to bottle unfined and unfiltered as our ‘La Côte de Sury,’ a special wine that captures the essence of what great Sancerre should be—enlivening and satisfying, and a great value, too. The estate’s Sancerre Rouge, a limited-release wine from peerless terroir, is exceptional; and the family’s few acres in Pouilly-Fumé deliver a smoky, racy Sauvignon Blanc each vintage.