Domaine Yves Martin Chavignol Sancerre 2021
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Domaine Yves Martin is a small, family-run estate with 19 hectares of vines in the famed town of Chavignol. The winemaker, Pierre Martin, took over from his father, Yves in 2005. The domaine is in conversion to organic viticulture. They never use herbicides or pesticides. The subsoil here is Kimmeridgian marl and the top soil is very stoney. The vines grow in each of the two famous terroirs of Chavignol: “caillottés,” which is stony and chalky; and “terres blanches,” which is composed of clay and limestone. The winery is located in the center of Chavignol and is gravity fed. All fermentation happens spontaneously in thermo-regulated tanks. Most of the aging is in stainless steel, although a couple of the cuvees are aged partially in barrels. The wines are aged on the fine lees, lending a nice richness to the wines. The result is a mineral-laden, refreshing Sancerre with citrusy lime notes and a lingering finish.
Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. This variety is of French provenance. Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.
Marked by its charming hilltop village in the easternmost territory of the Loire, Sancerre is famous for its racy, vivacious, citrus-dominant Sauvignon blanc. Its enormous popularity in 1970s French bistros led to its success as the go-to restaurant white around the globe in the 1980s.
While the region claims a continental climate, noted for short, hot summers and long, cold winters, variations in topography—rolling hills and steep slopes from about 600 to 1,300 feet in elevation—with great soil variations, contribute the variations in character in Sancerre Sauvignon blancs.
In the western part of the appellation, clay and limestone soils with Kimmeridgean marne, especially in Chavignol, produce powerful wines. Moving closer to the actual town of Sancerre, soils are gravel and limestone, producing especially delicate wines. Flint (silex) soils close to the village produce particularly perfumed and age-worthy wines.
About ten percent of the wines claiming the Sancerre appellation name are fresh and light red wines made from Pinot noir and to a lesser extent, rosés. While not typically exported in large amounts, they are well-made and attract a loyal French following.