Domaine des Quatre Piliers Bel Air 2020

Domaine des Quatre Piliers is a Loire estate in Saint-Aignan in Touraine, the heartland of Sauvignon Blanc, where Valentin Desloges farms organically and biodynamically. This wine sets itself apart from the region's usual tank fermented style by being both fermented and aged in oak barrels. The Loire's cool climate and its limestone and flint influenced soils give Sauvignon its signature high acidity and mineral cut, and here the barrel work adds a fuller texture and a subtle savoury complexity while keeping the variety's aromatic drive. Time on the fermentation lees builds mid palate weight without turning the wine oaky or heavy. It pours a bright yellow with golden tints, with a fragrant, quite powerful nose of lemon and citrus, pineapple and elderflower. The palate is dry and textured, the barrel adding breadth to a core of crisp acidity and green orchard fruit that carries into a long, mineral finish. Serve it at around 9 to 11 degrees in a white wine glass.