Pinard Sancerre Chêne Marchand 2020

94 points Jim Budd (Decanter): "Rich opulent aromas, including some wood notes, and a concentrated texture. It is a very well-balanced, impressive wine with the potential to develop further in bottle. Domaine Vincent Pinard is now established as one of the very top Sancerre producers both for its Sauvignon Blancs and the Pinot Noirs. The father Vincent now takes a back seat, with his sons Clément and Florian running the 17ha domaine with 12.5ha of Sauvignon Blanc and 4.5ha of Pinot Noir. Given the fame of the domaine, the brothers could be forgiven for taking it easy but the reverse is the case as they constantly strive to improve their wines. They are increasingly focusing on single vineyard wines, including Chêne Marchand. This is a warm, multi-owned vineyard of 26ha, where the soil is limestone, known locally as caillottes It is on the left as you start to drive into Bué from the south. The Pinards vinify their Chêne Marchand in 600-litre Stockinger 'tonnes'. Drinking Window: 2023-2040. (Mar 2022)"

94 points Rebecca Gibb, MW (Vinous): "The 2020 Sancerre Chêne Marchand is initially a tender wine with a mass of concentration packed into an airy, cloud of wine. The wine is held together by a line of acidity and mineral structure providing length and focus. The nettle-suffused finish is slightly spoiled by a note of alcohol that warms on the finish (14%), but that is really picking faults. Drink: 2023-2026. (Aug 2022)"

94 points La Revue du Vin de France: "Always more austere in its approach, Chêne Marchand reveals a salient fullness, with energetic bitters. It is cut out for long ageing. (2023)"