Sancerre Blanc Domaine Michel Girard Silex Magnum 150cl

If ever there was a wine that tasted of the soil in which it was grown, this is it! Philippe Girard's Silex Sancerre opens with a sensational, energetic, almost crackly nose of gunsmoke, orange oil and earthy, stoney notes. The full palate is lively and expressive with pronounced minerality and a long, long finish. Fantastique!!

Although the Girards have vines growing in all three of Sancerre's major soil types, and they are keen to blend the wines that each provides to create an archetypal example, this wine is sourced from one specially selected vineyard of Silex (flint) soil called Jeugny. Grapes from vines averaging 15 years of age were hand-picked and gently pressed, with fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine was made by Philippe Girard, Michel Girard's son. Normally Michel and Philippe would blend Silex with Sauvignon Blanc from other terroirs in Sancerre, but Philippe believed this cuvée had such a dazzling purity and finesse that he decided to bottle it separately.

Please decant before serving to release the full potential of this wine. A fantastic match with shellfish or river fish such as trout or zander; or the classic crottins of goats cheese.