Taking the savage out of sauvignon – Pascal Jolivet Sancerre 2018

Far removed from the unsophisticated early harvest styles that dominate most of today’s offerings this is a beautifully crafted sauvignon blanc that manages to combine the variety’s trademark vivacity and attractive flavours with depth and poise.

The nose immediately draws you in, it centers around the floral, citrusy side of the variety’s flavour profile with an added layer of fresh cherries. The mid-weight, richly textured palate is balanced and sophisticated while still retaining the buzz and excitement one would expect of a Sancerre. It’s juicy and refreshing with flavours of tangerine, pineapple and some pithy tartness. Sinewy, lithe acidity, very different from the painfully abrasive kind that one so often encounters in cheaper bottlings. A long, resonant and delicious finish. A beauty.

7⁺ points. Admittedly it doesn’t come cheap at 23 euros but then again it’s not terribly expensive for a Sancerre.