2017 Jean-Max Roger Sancerre Cuvee "La Grange Dimiere" Rose 750 ml

My Favorite Dry Rosé From Sancerre

Just in time for the warmer weather ahead, let me introduce you to my favorite dry rosé of the 2017 vintage: the 2017 Jean-Max Roger Sancerre Cuvée La Grange Dîmière Rosé. A few years ago, my good friend Eduardo Dingler, former Corporate Beverage Director for Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto's restaurants, poured me a beautiful Sancerre from Jean-Max Roger, which was stunning! His pairing: Morimoto’s crispy wonton wrapped hamachi tacos with micro-cilantro and shaved jalapeño. But Eduardo's allocation of Jean-Max Roger would be gone in less than three months, and it would be a year before the next vintage would hit. Earlier this year I discovered they make a Sancerre Rosé and I haven’t been able to put it down! I’m extremely proud to say I have a 56-case allocation of this precisely-elegant rosé! Just $22 each for the truly elusive La Grange Dîmière Rosé. Secure your share now.

Here’s my theory of how this wine achieves it’s brilliance:

The area of Sancerre is a very northern, cold growing region, and Pinot Noir grapes take their time ripening under longer sunlight hours at cooler temperatures. Think about this in terms of latitude: Sancerre is two degrees north of Montreal, Canada (about 150 miles). The sun won’t set in Sancerre until 9:49 p.m. on the summer solstice. In New York City it will be dark at 8:31 p.m. Hence, the Pinot Grapes in Sancerre will see sunlight for almost another hour and a half longer, than those anywhere in the U.S.

Those longer days and cooler temperatures allow for optimal physiological ripeness, which is critical for flavor and aromatic development. The lack of heat spikes this far north means that grapes develop a tremendous amount of nuance and flavor complexity and that sugar levels do not rise too fast. Because physiological ripening and sugar ripening (a result of those heat spikes) occur independently of each other, Sancerre boast just the right climate, bringing both together in an extremely harmonious way — a very special thing!

Sometimes, I have to dare myself to paint large brush strokes over rather complicated subjects of vine cultivation, in order to show context of content — this is one of those times, and this is one of those discovery wines for me, that make my job so rewarding!

The estate of Jean-Max Roger has been cultivating grapes in the village of Bué, Sancerre since the early 17th century. Though a small family operation, they boast state of the art cellar equipment, housed inside of the original cellar and tasting room, that has been in existence for over 350 years!

To be able to offer a wine from a family so rooted in Sancerre, and a family whose philosophy of grape and place are inextricable, is an honor I take pride in. Secure your share of this truly special rosé now.

Sur Lucero MS

Master Sommelier