Maison Foucher Lebrun Petit Le Mont Sauvignon 2023

Foucher Lebrun is a third generation operation that has been successful in the wine business for over a century now. Besides the excellent quality of the vineyards and the organically grown fruit they select, the secret weapon here is that the wines and cuvees are selected by Jean Mounard a very well known former “Fine + Rare” wine merchant from Paris whose palate was formed by years of tasting and selling such wines as DRC, Mouton-Rothchild and Leflaive.

Located about 20 miles northeast of the town of Sancerre in the village of Alligny-Cosne, Maison Foucher makes their ‘Petit Le Mont’ Sancerre with grapes from the villages of Sancerre, Chavignol (near Monts Damnés) and d’Amignyt just like the big brother bottling. The only difference is those are always blended with some Sauvignon Blanc from outside Sancerre’s town lines in Touraine, so Sancerre isn’t on the label, which cuts the price and automatically turns this into one of the most killer values anywhere.

With wonderfully chalky limestone soil, the wines have a solid core, with a wonderful roundness as well as that irresistible mineral streak. I get bright, steely notes of green apple, some stone fruit, jasmine blossom and green melon with soaring aromatics. This is one of those wines that grows on you with each sip and is hard to put down. This would go well with just about any food you want to pair it with, but it does scream for fresh seafood in particular.