2017 “Silex” Sancerre - J. de Villebois

Shaved lemon peel, struck flint, almost-ripe nectarine. Tart green apple, sour grass, pink grapefruit flesh. Impressively electric and driving pulses of squeezed lime, passion fruit, and crunchy green pear writhe with powerfully tingling intensity as notes of elderflower, gun smoke, and herbal tea provide intriguing layered depth. Honeysuckle and black currant bud emerge to expose delightfully pungent floral tones that play in tune with impressions of snap peas, lemongrass, and fresh mint in an edgy and lightly herbaceous twist. Pronounced hints of crushed rock and flinty minerality round out the beautifully earthy and nervy attack through a long finish packed with complex and multidimensional blasts of terroir. Remarkably tart, racy, and expressive on the palate with tremendous energy and bite; exhibiting a broad yet zippy mouthfeel carried by vivacious crispness. Medium in body while cut with an exciting streak of high acidity. This 2017 "Silex" Sancerre by J. de Villebois is a beautifully bright, complex, and terroir-driven white from France's Loire Valley.

Located in the center of France just south of Paris, the wine region of Sancerre is legendary for producing some of the world's most energetic and terroir expressive white wine. This bottling, crafted by J. de Villebois using Sauvignon Blanc grown only in the rare Silex soils found within Sancerre, showcases the incredible verve and electricity this special terroir and region can facilitate. This dynamic wine radiates incredible earthy and flinty nuances alongside its intense acid-driven fruit profile, while also boasting bright floral and subtle herbal hints to further enhance its complexity and depth. It is well balanced and classically styled while perfectly reflecting the character of its inimitable world-class terroir; truly impressing on all levels. Outstanding.