Sancerre 2018 Domaine Jean-Paul Balland

Jean-Paul Balland is a family owned estate with about 48 acres of vineyards in some of the best areas for growing outstanding Sauvignon Blanc, Le Grand Chemarin and Le Chêne Marchand all sustainably farmed. Jean-Paul has handed over the running of the domaine to his two daughters, Burgundy-trained oenologist Isabelle makes the wines, and Elise runs an impressively efficient office. The impressive new cellars were completed just in time for the 2015 vintage. The grapes are lightly pressed and subjected to a low-temperature fermentation under natural indigenous yeasts, the objective being to find “bloom”, elegance and minerality. The wine aged in large casks with frequent stirring of the lees for more mouthfeel and richness. The wine exhibits aromas of peach, white flowers and citrus. On the palate the flavors are concentrated and pure with lemon/lime and peach followed distinct minerality and refreshing acidity. The finish lingers. The 2017 vintage has been widely praised and said to have "enviable quality". This 2018 is an exceptional Sancerre that's also a stunning value.