2022 Domaine du Carrou Sancerre "Les Deserts"

The 30+ year old vines that produce "Les Deserts" come from a tiny parcel in Bué that borders the famed hamlet of Chavignol.  The positioning of this site is integral - when you taste Les Deserts the intense character shines through and you can tell the vines have driven deep into the "terre blanches" (clay-limestone) soils.  There is a Chablis-eque quality to the entire lineup, but Deserts has has even more depth to it; a unique hybrid of sorts that has the feathery weight of Sauvignon Blanc with the mineralistic character you find in top quality 1er Cru Chablis. This 2022 release is simply jaw-dropping: pale yellow and very bright at first glance, with a great nucleus of pineapple and red apple.  The acidity is there, but not to the level of searing where it rips the enamel off your teeth - it's just perfectly seasoned with it.  It finishes long and tightly knit with spectacular minerality; a refreshing voyage from start to finish!