Domaine Pré Baron Sauvignon Blanc, Vieilles Vignes 2023

Domaine Pré Baron Sauvignon Blanc Vieilles Vignes 2023
AOP Touraine
This lovely Sancerre look-alike is hand-picked from carefully selected fruit from the best parcels of 35-year-old vines, grown on gentle south-facing slopes with sandy gravel soils.  About 25% of the harvest is macerated on the skins.  This is followed a slow fermentation at 18°C for three weeks in stainless steel vats. There is no malolactic fermentation. The wine is then matured on fine lees to enhance both the flavour and texture of the wine.
The nose is heady and herbaceous.  On the palate there is great concentration with a rich texture.  Coming from the very sunny 2023 vintage it is almost New World in style, with ripe passionfruit mingling with gooseberry flavours and a long mineral finish.