This is a magnificent wine from a producer that has made a name for its red Sancerre. The wine is dark, solid and firmly structured, balanced by rich, dense black fruits that impart great potential. Drink this wine now, but it will be better from 2021.

The 2016 Sancerre Rouge Belle Dame is terrific. Bright and aromatic in the glass, with terrific persistence and impeccable balance, the 2016 is immediately captivating. It is an especially sleek, racy Loire red with pretty, forward fruit and tons of sheer appeal. Rose petal, mint, sage and ripe raspberry linger on the understated, mid-weight finish. This is such an appealing wine.

Vacheron's 2016 Sancerre Belle Dame offers a beautiful ruby color with a dark core and garnet shimmer. It is peppery and fresh on the pure, refined and spicy nose that reveals ripe and stewed cherry and just-ripe berry aromas with leafy forest and some peppery notes. The 2016 is a coolish, fine, elegant, silky-textured and intense yet crisp Pinot Noir with the architecture of a flint stone terroir. This has a vertical, tight and concentrated structure with a serious tannin grip and very good length. It is still somewhat brittle yet food-friendly and finer after some hours of aeration. Tasted in February 2021.