Hippolyte Reverdy Sancerre Blanc 2024

Region: Sancerre, France

Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

The Reverdy family have been in the region since the 1600s and started bottling wine under their own label in the early 1970s. Kermit Lynch began buying the wines in 1983, shortly after the death of Hippolyte and two of his sons. That was when his only surviving son, Michel, assumed control of the domaine. It is not a big property, only 35 acres, scattered across 20 different parcels. Michel is entirely focused on farming, spending seven days a week on his tractor, and rarely takes a day off. The vineyards lie around the village of Verdigny, on rolling hills that look snow covered due to the thick layer of limestone that dominates the soil. In fact, as you wander the streets of this little town you will see piles of white fossils of the prehistoric critters whose calcium rich shells created the soil.

In the cellar he is a minimalist, pressing the grapes and allowing the juice to settle for 36 hours before starting the fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Once dry the wine is allowed to stay on the lees for 3 to 4 months, with minimal stirring before being bottled. The lack of manipulation allows for the almost crystalline nature of this wine to shine through. This wine shows the penetrating, sheer edge of limestone throughout the grapefruit, gooseberry, tomatillo flavors. Drink 2024-2026 with crab cakes or pan seared sea bass.