Loire

Pur Sang is French for thoroughbred and is a joke that reflects Dagueneau’s annoyance at repeated references to the fact (by journalists) that he uses a horse to till some of vineyards.  This is produced primarily from a vineyard north of Saint Andelain called La Folie. The soil here is deep clay with some limestone. The vineyard is gently sloped and has perfect south/southeast exposure. Some smaller parcels on the Saint Andelain hill occasionally also make it into this cuvée. Barrel fermented and aged. This is always a rich and powerful cuvée, enormously textural and complex. It is a wine that can live and live.

Greenish yellow. Captivating bouquet of lime zest, quince, spicecake and honeysuckle. Nicely concentrated and sharply focused, with bracing citrus and spice flavors combining on the middle palate. This strikingly deep, pure wine finishes with strong mineral vibrancy and superb lift and persistence.

-- Joel B. Payne

92

Greenish yellow. Lively but reticent aromas of citrus oil, ginger and wet stone. Gently sweet and tactile, with juicy citrus and yellow fruit flavors lifted by spicy nuances. Still needs time, but already displays stellar clarity and finishes with vibrant persistence. This is certainly one of the finest sauvignon blancs of the 2012 vintage.

-- Joel B. Payne

93 points