Intense, lush, blackcurrant leaf and passion fruit. Streets ahead of where it was a few months ago. Can even handle being very cold. Light in body but deeply concentrated in flavour.

The 2nd bottle of this is probably the nicest wine I have ever had. All the pungency and flavour of the first but with a very strong boxwood note like the Saint Clair Pioneer Blocks 6 and 19.

Serve as cold as you like.

G, after the '11 sancerre and '11 Menetou Salon disappointments - You deserve a treat



enjoy. This is the '12 vintage you are waxing lyrical about, isn't it Mr G ?

Cheap sancerre, current release:

I understand what you mean about the 2011 TF sancerre, although the nose is free of sulphur, pretty benign actually for an SB, the sulphur note appears to be in the middle of the wine ! Opened one this evening, a discounted single, bought off the shelf at Xmas. 2nd day, the sulphur in the flavour masks minerality. It's not that bad - just french sauvignon blanc from a northerly latitude. the jelly flavour that G alludes to in an earlier post is similar to a setting agent, but not carrogeen or isinglass (spelling) probably something to do with a fining or preservative chemical.

We have been used to excellent Sancerre vintages '09 & '10 So at the bargain end of buying......it is downhill for at least two years now

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Duncan

Just managed to order a couple minutes before offer expired. Reduction may well return next month but £13 at the mo.

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Four wheels move the body - 2 wheels move the soul.

You will faint ....the nose alone will floor you.

Sorry, MrD, only just noticed your edit. Yes. 2012. Massive step up on 2011 at the same stage. JE 2012 is a bit tannic by comparison. Goldwater 2012 £7.99 at Maj. Not bought any yet.

I'm trying to find a negative, and could only say that it's a tad too sweet. Other than that, it's the best MSB since the '08 / '09 bunch.
Also, not very temp reliant, nice through a wide range. Am having difficulty in keeping to my new units regime for the first time in a while. Not quite flooring but very close.

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Four wheels move the body - 2 wheels move the soul.

Maj blurb...'Offers masses of elderberry fruit and raspberry leaf aromas and exhibits an excellent minerally finish along the lines of Sancerre'.

Not too sure about that...

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Four wheels move the body - 2 wheels move the soul.

We know - That's typical Maj speak

They said that about Jackson Estate for years. Wairau reserve, as we know, is a lot fuller and less dry than average sancerre. Absolute lychee is not tasted on a sancerre. If one was to experience the minerality of a good sancerre, then the fruit would have to be toned 'away', the NZ SB vine clones are not cuttings from top Loire vineyards (I don't think). nor is the rock below a clone of the best Loire climats.

VM Clifford Bay '08 tasted like a ripe sancerre, but then CB is a very subtle NZ sauvignon blanc. I haven't tasted a Clifford Bay on a ripe vintage - so ?

As with Tequila - one has to accept these TNs with a pinch of .... and a slice of ...... Also, my receptors change a bit - depending on a load of factors, so I'm not going to climb into my high chair and start wailing.

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Duncan

To be honest, if VM WR is a tad sweet then I must conclude that I only have a problem with sweetness in MSB when the wine lacks the flavour to balance it I think Dunc may have suggested this but I was probably too busy making Tate and Lyle jokes.

This wine will be lush and beautiful in two years time.

I had the Ligny Chablis 2011 last night. £5.49 at Tesco. Intense gooseberry and chalk nose. Reminiscent of Sancerre at it's finest. Intense apple and chalk on the palate. Like a turbo charged Macon Village. Lovely for half a glass then overpowering.

Good MSB sorted then, and that is exactly why I should take a dozen of the '12 for the cellar when the offer is back - Thanks for that recco G - cheers

Ba - Can you give me a jolt when it's on for Easter ? - Cheers also



Ligny '11 Eh, good price ! G, I like the sound of that. Gooseberry a bit weird on a chabby chic version

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Duncan

Roger, wilco. The eggs have been in the shops for a week now so it won't be long.

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Four wheels move the body - 2 wheels move the soul.

Have some Saint Clait MSB 2012 on the way to compare. Sadly, Waitrose have ditched the Vicar's Choice also by Saint Clair as 2012 was reputedly it's best ever vintage. Surprised nobody has posted a note yet for the Goldwater 2012 at £7.99 at Maj. I fear it will be pithy like JE.

Goose,

JE'11 is quite good, and was £1.50 - £2 less than the current vintage

For white wines:-

I have been buying white burgundy offers from the very last of the clearouts that I rate online - the purpose is to get the last of the 2010's.
ie) Nick Potel Pouilly Fuisse '10 - £11.99 at Ocado and 92 points in Spectator - but beware - you may get the 2011 now.

Whilst MSB '12 will be around for ages yet Goldwater & co can wait, the Majestic MSB voucher is valid till 18th March

Send me an email, yours keeps bouncing back.

Cheers for now

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Duncan

Staggering now but will get better. Intense and pure blackcurrant leaf. Some of the richness of body seems to be turning into concentrated flavour. A hint of richness remains but this is the bees knees of MSB.

£10.99 now seems to be it's standard offer price.