Domaine Merlin Cherrier San 2013

Notes from the Winemaker: Sancerre Chêne Marchand: I have never been able to get a satisfactory answer about the origins of the name of this cele-brated vineyard (wood merchant never seemed to cut it). Regardless, Chêne Marchand is one of the crown jewel vineyards of Sancerre and is the appellation’s outstanding example of Caillottes terroir. It’s a certain candidate for grand cru status if ever Sancerre were to classify its vineyards. The vineyard grows on the western plateau above Bué where the sun always shines if it is shining anywhere in the neighborhood, and this plateau has supported vines for many a century—possibly as far back as the Roman Occupation.