2007 Domaine Leblanc, Menetou-Salon

Over the weekend I had two Central Vineyard 2007 reds – La Commanderie , Reuilly from Jean-Michel Sorbe of Brinay and Domaine Leblanc from Jacques Leblanc of Aubinges, a hamlet a little to the south of Morogues.

The 2007 La Commanderie (9.9€) was picked by hand with a yield of 35 hl/ha. It is Jean-Michel Sorbe’s top red cuvée, the straight domaine (6.90€) is machine picked. It showed well at the tasting (19th December), although I thought the tannins were a little harsh. With this second bottle this was confirmed and have the wine a rather rustic feel. – too ambitious for its own good in this difficult vintage.

2007 La Commanderie Reuilly, Jean-Michel Sorbe

In contrast the lighter and less ambitious 2007 Domaine Lebanc Menetou-Salon – machine picked, 52 hl/ha – had attractive red fruits, easy and refreshing to drink although surprisingly higher in alcohol (13.4%) than the Reuilly (13%) and was a good match with skate and garlic chips.

The 11th stage of next year’s Tour de France will pass through Berry on Wednesday 15th July. The 192 km stage starts in Vatan in the Indre and ends in Saint Fargeau in the Yonne and will take the riders through Reuilly, Quincy and Menetou-Salon before passing through the western and southern edge of Sancerre’s vineyards and through Pouilly. The riders will pass through Montigny, Veaugues, Vinon Saint-Bouize and then cross the Loire into Pouilly over the bridge that marks the halfway point of the Loire. Then onto Saint-Andelain before leaving the vineyards at Sully-la-Tour. This looks likely to be a sprinters' stage probably with a long breakaway caught not long before the finishing line in Saint Fargeau. A stage made for Mark Cavendish perhaps?

Sancerre, Menetou-Salon and Touraine (8th October 2008)

Report on Roger Champault added to this post.

More to follow soon .....