Jean-Max Roger Cuvée Genèse Sancerre 2018 (Loire) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this lovely Sauvignon Blanc from the renowned region of Sancerre in Loire. It returned to VINTAGES as part of the November 28th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

One of my favourite producers from Loire, Jean-Max Roger comes from a long line of winegrowers from the village of Bué, just southwest of the town of Sancerre, with the first mention of the name dating back to the early 17th century. Up until the 1960s, generation after generation of the family practiced mixed farming and animal rearing. Jean-Max Roger inherited the 4 hectare property from his parents in the 1970s, and with his wife, Nicole, focused on the vineyards and developed the estate. In 2004, two of their three sons - Thibault and Etienne - joined the family estate. Today, the brothers continue to define the estate's identity with their 28 hectares of Sancerre appellation vines located along the Loire River.

This lovely white wine is 100% Sauvignon Blanc from selected plots of stony, calcareous clay soils called "caillottes" that have shaped the palate of several generations of the Roger family. The Cuvée Genèse (or Genesis) represents the origin of the Roger family's history. The vines are between 10 and 40 years of age, have southeastern exposure to the sun, and are raised using some organic priniciples to reveal its terroir. It was long fermented using natural yeasts and aged on heavy lees to develop minerality in the wine.

I've had the pleasure of tasting previous vintages of this lovely wine, most recently the 2015 Jean-Max Roger Cuvée Genèse Sancerre back in 2017, and this vintage should be just as good, if not better. The 2018 vintage in Loire was historic in terms of both quality and yield. In 2018, the Spring weather was favourable and unhampered by hail or frost. Although there were heavy rains in June, winegrowers skilfully managed the vineyards. Summer temperatures reached an all-time high and excellent growing conditions continued through to harvest. Let's see how the 2018 is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

JEAN-MAX ROGER CUVÉE GENÈSE SANCERRE 2018 - AC, Loire, France (#189126) (XD) - $33.95
100% Sauvignon Blanc grown on stony, calcareous clay soils called "caillottes". Intense, stony mineral aromas are layered over fresh, ripe lemon/lime citrus and white floral notes. It's quite full and powerful on the palate with some warmth due to the hot vintage, but still well-balanced with floral, lime, and stony flavours and lively, juicy, mouth-watering acidity. Tangy mid-palate with a pleasing chalky texture. Stony mineral notes linger on the long finish. Lovely! Score: 91+ pts

Other fine wines from Jean-Max Roger can be ordered via their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.