Sancerre is Jealous. WSJ Outstanding Top Pick. Kermit Lynch's Crown Jewel.
| Artisan Wine · A Kermit Lynch Doubleheader · Loire Valley | |||||||||||||
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Pouilly-Fumé · Sancerre · Kermit Lynch Imports
Two Crowns of the Loire.
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Wall Street Journal
"An outstanding expression of Sauvignon Blanc."
on Régis Minet
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Kermit Lynch
"Luscious and complex with deep notes and long, satisfying finales."
on Daniel Chotard
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Dear Artisans,
If you've ever wanted to taste the Loire Valley in one sitting — the textbook side-by-side, the comparison every sommelier learns first — this is it. Two villages, the same grape, the same river running between them. One Sauvignon Blanc smoky and stone-driven; the other floral, fleshy, and round. Both from Kermit Lynch's cellar. Both poured tonight.
The Wall Street Journal recently called Régis Minet's old-vines Pouilly-Fumé "an outstanding expression" — their top pick of the appellation. With 40 vintages under his belt — well over 70,000 hours by Kermit Lynch's own count — Minet has spent four decades farming one grape, one appellation, one set of flinty hillsides above the Loire.
Across the river, we just received a small allocation of Daniel Chotard's 2024 Sancerre — a family estate with over two hundred years of winemaking in Crezancy-en-Sancerre and one of the most quietly coveted bottles in the Kermit Lynch book. Limited quantities, and once we're out, that's it until next year.
Buy one to know the river. Buy both to know the difference.
A river runs between them. So does a world of difference.
Pouilly-sur-Loire and Sancerre face each other across the upper Loire — neighbors by geography, distinct by terroir. Fumé means smoky, and the flint-heavy soils of Pouilly give Sauvignon Blanc its gunflint signature — the wine that inspired Robert Mondavi to coin "Fumé Blanc." Sancerre's chalkier, more varied slopes produce a wine that's broader, riper, more floral — less pungent than its neighbor, more generous on the palate. Two siblings raised on opposite banks.
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Pouilly-Fumé · East Bank
Flint & silex soils · Smoky, gunflint signature · Polished mineral edge · Cooler, tighter, more linear
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Sancerre · West Bank
Limestone, marl, griottes · Floral & citrus blossom · Fleshier mid-palate · Riper, rounder, more generous
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2023 Régis Minet Pouilly-Fumé
Pouilly-Fumé, Loire Valley, France · 100% Sauvignon Blanc · Kermit Lynch Import
"Vieilles Vignes" |
Retail: $39.00 $31.97 |
Minet ferments entirely on native yeast in stainless steel for brightness and purity, then ages the wine on its lees for six months — stirring occasionally to build in a creamy richness that keeps the wine in perfect balance. The result drinks beautifully now and will age delightfully for those who can resist it.
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40+
Vintages of Mastery
Régis Minet has been farming this single appellation for over four decades — 70,000+ hours of focused expertise in one place, one grape, one terroir. |
16
Individual Parcels
Kimmeridgian marl, calcaires de Villiers, terres blanches — sixteen distinct terroir parcels, each fermented separately to preserve the identity of the estate. |
6 mo
Lees Aging
Native yeast fermentation in stainless steel preserves pure fruit. Six months on the lees with occasional stirring builds creamy richness without sacrificing freshness. |
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On the Nose
Lemon and lime zest · River rocks · Fresh white flowers · Wild sage · Gunflint · Subtle citrus blossom
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On the Palate
Precision · Mouthwatering mineral edge · Lemon zest · Green apple · Crushed stone · Creamy texture · Flinty finish
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Kermit Lynch · Importer Note
"Minet makes a pitch-perfect, pure Sauvignon Blanc from their chalky vineyards along the banks of the Loire River at Pouilly-sur-Loire. A perfect balance between classic Sauvignon Blanc fruit and a gorgeous minerality that brings the terroir straight to your glass. The luscious feel over your tongue is contrasted by a lively, flinty acidity on the finish."
— Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant
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2024 Daniel Chotard Sancerre
Sancerre, Loire Valley, France · 100% Sauvignon Blanc · Kermit Lynch Import
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Allocated $39.99 |
The Chotard family has been making wine in Sancerre for over two hundred years. Today Simon Chotard farms the slopes above the village of Crezancy-en-Sancerre — where flint meets clay and the famous Kimmeridgian limestone — using sustainable practices and organic composts. He typically harvests later than his neighbors, which softens the appellation's signature bite and gives the wine an unusual fullness for Sancerre. Aging on the lees rounds the mid-palate further. The result, like his father's wines before him, is luscious and complex with deep notes and a long, satisfying finish.
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200+
Years of Family
The Chotards have been making wine in Sancerre for over two centuries. Simon, the latest generation, now runs the property — including the family's small Pinot Noir plantings. |
3
Soil Types Blended
Limestone, pebbly griottes, and marl — each soil parcel brings something different. The blend gives Chotard's Sancerre its depth, complexity, and unmistakable sense of place. |
80 / 20
Steel / Wood
80% aged in stainless steel for purity; small portions raised in acacia barrels and large oak foudres for breadth. Selected yeasts that never overwrite the grape. |
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On the Nose
Citrus · White blossoms · Wet stone · Pale yellow apple · A whisper of honey from the lees
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On the Palate
Refreshing yet full-bodied · Generous mid-palate · Limestone minerality · Elegant balance · Long, satisfying finish
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Kermit Lynch · Importer Note
"An expert blend of parcels covering three distinct soil types — limestone, pebbly griottes, and marl. Some 80% of the blend is aged in stainless steel; a small proportion in acacia barrels, with another in large oak foudres. Chotard carefully selects yeasts that will not influence the natural aromas of the wine, so the mineral expression and the character of the grape variety are not disguised."
— Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant
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"Aged on the lees. Brilliant pale yellow in color with a very pure nose reminiscent of citrus and white blossoms. Refreshing and full-bodied on the palate. Typical and elegant, well-balanced with good length." — Simon Chotard, winemaker |
The Loire's greatest pairing has been going strong for centuries.
Either wine sings with the same classics — but they reward different choices. The Minet's flinty edge loves raw and briny things. The Chotard's roundness handles richer plates with ease.
| Pour the Minet With Oysters on the half shell · Aged chèvre on baguette · Grilled sole · Sea bass en papillote · Crudités & aïoli | Pour the Chotard With Herb-roasted chicken · Crottin de Chavignol · Croque monsieur · Trout amandine · Spring vegetable risotto |
| Service Serve both at 48–52°F · White Burgundy or universal tasting glass · No decanting needed · Pour side-by-side for the full Loire comparison · Drink now through 2028+ |
One river. Two villages.
Two bottles worth opening tonight.
The WSJ's top Pouilly-Fumé. Kermit Lynch's allocated Sancerre. Choose one — or sit down with both.
2023 Régis Minet Pouilly-Fumé "Vieilles Vignes" · 2024 Daniel Chotard Sancerre
| Shop Minet → | Shop Chotard → |
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