Vacheron Sancerre Rouge Belle Dame 2022

96 points James Suckling: "An extensive, harmonious and vertical pinot noir. The nose offers notes of cherries, forest berries, wild herbs, gunpowder, wet stones and some sweet spices. It’s medium-bodied with finely grained tannins. Ample and layered, with plenty of minerality at the center. Flinty and driven, with such succulence. Lively and full of verve. Long, sharp finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold. (10/22/24)"

93 points Rebecca Gibb, MW (Vinous): "The 2022 Belle Dame is done in a mouth-filling, tender style that covers the palate with a veil of chalky tannins. It's well-composed, harmonious and unadulterated. There are flavors of pure Damson fruit, a spice-lifted note, cloves and cinnamon. The acidity provides a gentle stream of freshness. Drink: 2025-2037. (Aug 2024)"

Producer notes: "Most people, when tasting the Belle Dame, a cuvée of 50 year-old vines of Pinot Noir grown on pure flint soils, compare it to Burgundy. It understandable and unfortunate at the same time as this is a terror quite distinct from anything in Burgundy – further north and on hard flinty soils. Before phylloxera, Sancerre was renown as Pinot Noir country, and justly so. Sadly, there are few producers, like Vacheron, who care enough to prove just how amazing Pinot Noir can be from this part of the Loire. It is a singular wine, and the benchmark Sancerre Rouge. Certified organic and biodynamic."