Chateau de Maimbray Sancerre Rouge 2005

The estate is operated by Georges Roblin and his sons Francis and Eugene. Chateau de Maimbray lies just above Verdigny, in the northern Sancerre town of Sury-en-Vaux. The estate's 30 acre vineyard sits on chalk/clay soils - a perfect medium for producing the silky, yet textured rouge from the estate.

Only a 1/3 of the wine goes into demi-muid barrels (large 600 liter barrels) and the rest into stainless steel tank.  It maintains its pinot elegance, but also takes from the soil some beautiful chalk and mineral notes. There seem to be no smoky notes, just focused acidity and a slight undertone of dry earth.  

Overall the wine is full of bright red fruit - cherries and cranberries and a silky mouthfeel with great acidity. It's delicious! We're super excited about the wine and its great affordability.

Maimbray Sancerre Rouge   $26 a bottle 

 

meet the region

Sancerre
We've heard that the good wine growers of the Loire will trek their wine into Paris, a mere 190 kilometers northeast and drop off wine to shops and restaurants in hopes that they will "catch on" and become the next most popular thing. Brilliant! After all, Paris is the chic-est place on the planet. And that may be why Sancerre is one of the most well known and well regarded appellations in the region. We would argue that even the most wine deprived individual would tell you they've heard of Sancerre. It's famous for growing Sauvignon Blanc and producing wines of great purity and minerality in its chalky-clay soils. Sancerre was awarded its AOC in 1936 for white wine and its red wine designation came along in 1959.  Yes, both white and red! Although only 20% of the region is planted to Pinot Noir making it harder to get your hands on.