2023 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 2023 release is once again 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!