2020 Sancerre Rouge Belle Dame
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Tasting notes
The 2020 Belle Dame is far from charming. It's a more robust style with a warmth on the finish (14.5%). Although it is light on its feet, it has a line of tension on the finish, which creates a sense of firmness and intensity. Flavor-wise, it's all spice, florals, dried fruit, warm cherries and marzipan. While impressive for its richness and substance, it's not entirely harmonious.
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Average Score
Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous
Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Rather closed, as you'd expect from the Vacheron's top of the shop Pinot Noir, the 2020 Belle Dame is an assertive beautiful woman offering a powerful, driven style. This is one of the minority of Sancerre's reds that are grown on flint, rather than chalk, contributing this sense of firmness. Impressive for its layers of red cherry fruit, festive spices and herbal top notes. The structure and tension builds as the wine makes its way through the mouth going from a ripe and almost sweetly fruited first impression to a brooding, savory and structured style that increased in tension toward the finish. Impressive in its richness of fruit without being heavy, however, the alcohol (14.5%) is hot on the finish clipping the length a little.
About the producer
Certified biodynamic, Domaine Vacheron is one of the star names in Sancerre. The estate crafts Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir from single sites, using low yields and Burgundy-inspired winemaking to produce exceptionally pure, age-worthy expressions of the region that are some of its best.