Gitton Pere et Fils Sancerre Les Belles Dames 2024

Drink it now or cellar for up to 8 years. No need to decant. Gitton Pere et Fils is a family-run winery in the Loire Valley, founded in 1945. Today, it owns approximately 33 hectares of vineyards spread across the Sancerre, Pouilly, and Ménétréol regions. The Sauvignon Blanc grapes are sourced from Les Belles Dames vineyard, just under 5 hectares, planted between 1967 and 1980. Here, the vines enjoy east/southeast exposure at an altitude of 230–265 meters, on flint soils. After the harvest, fermentation takes place in oak barrels, where the wine then rests on the lees for 10 months before bottling. The result is a mineral, fruity, and expressive wine that perfectly embodies the characteristics of the finest Loire Valley whites. In the glass, it reveals a brilliant, pale straw-yellow color and a fragrant, ripe aromatic profile with notes of yellow fruit, citrus zest, and broom flowers. On the palate, it is fresh, lively, and supple, with a pronounced minerality and crisp acidity. It has a medium-light body and a long, citrusy finish. It is the ideal wine for lobster and all shellfish and seafood. It is also worth trying with goat cheese, such as Crottin de Chavignol, in one of the region's most traditional pairings.