Pelle Sancerre la Croix au Garde Blanc 2022

Fourth-generation Paul-Henry Pellé organically farms 40 hectares of vines in the kimmeridgian-centric village of Morogues in the appellation of Menetou-Salon. It’s a small appellation of just 30 wineries, with only 5-10 that are really focused on quality. Pellé isn’t focused on quality… he’s obsessed with it.

Since 1982, the Pellés have been getting into their car and driving 30 minutes northeast to cultivate just 4 hectares of Sancerre vines in Montigny compared to their 40 of Menetou. This isn’t just a ‘labor of love’ for the Pellés. It’s also about honor and pride and proving they belong in a seat at the table with the best wineries of the Loire.

The past 40+ years of honoring the land, not taking shortcuts and very deliberately building their brand has gotten them to the point where their wines make one drop a year in the States and immediately get gobbled up by all those in the know. Today, with just over ¼ of the total imported U.S. allotment, we FINALLY join that exclusive group ourselves.

Paul-Henry’s 2022 Sancerre la Croix au Garde is a beauty. Medium-body with a racy burst of citrus and stone fruit at the beginning, with laser-like focus and a razor sharp minerality that pierces throughout the mouth through to the finish. It’s a bright, fresh Sancerre that’s not too weighty but has plenty of nuance and even some depth. No doubt, it’s one you can enjoy for the next decade.