Vincent Pinard Loire Valley, France.
"Brothers Clement and Florent Pinard are the 15th generation (or so they think – they wouldn’t stake their lives on it) to run the family domaine, Vincent Pinard, in the village of Bué. ... They have created their own yeast starter and are restrained in their use of sulfur. They are often one of the first in the village to harvest, which they put down to farming the vineyard organically for more than 15 years. In recent warm vintages (2018, 2019, 2020), they have achieved harmony when others have struggled. The domaine has an enviable list of the top sites in the appellation, including the Petit and Grand Chemarin vineyards and Le Chêne Marchand (all on caillottes soils) and a wealth of older vines. Even its entry-level Florès is produced from 35-year-old vines. Balance, harmony and elegance are a common thread that weaves across its range. Large format barrels are employed in varying proportions for all of its cuvées except Florès, while lees aging builds appetizing texture. Vincent Pinard is one of my go-to Sancerre producers.”
— Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous, July 2023
Sancerre Florès
2023 has produced a brilliant set of vibrant and concentrated wines at Vincent Pinard, and this is the flag-bearer which can be found in many of France’s 3 star restaurants, some of which have been pouring and listing it for 50 years or more. Which only serves to highlight the consistency of the domaine, from Vincent’s father’s tenure, right through Vincent’s and now on to that of his sons Florent and Clément. Fruit for Florès is selected from their younger vines (but now pushing 40 years old!) around Bué, all estate owned. The key vineyards are Emois, Vallons, Petit Chemarin, Le Bourg, Crépon, Dargente and Bois Brulés. From the 2020 vintage onward the wine is fermented in a minimum of 95 % large oak cask and 5 % stainless steel, as the brothers have progressively increased the use of large oak over the last several years. The result is a wine that is still crisp and racy in the classic Sancerre style, but also with more texture, depth and complexity than it had 10 years ago.
2023 ‘The 2023 Florés is a success in a challenging year. A rigorous green harvest might have been the defining factor - the Pinards green harvested as much as 35% of the crop to allow the vine to concentrate its efforts or the equivalent of 28hl/ha. The result is a greatly refreshing Sancerre with pear, pineapple and elderflower flavors. There's a hint of flesh tenderness and a supple character. An appealing chalk texture resides on the gently refreshing, ripe acid rather than a racy finish.’ 89 points, Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous, July 2024.
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