Grand Bateau was born in the 80s as the result of close collaboration between the Barriere House and Chateau BEYCHEVELLE. The boat adorning the label is reminiscent of the mythical drakkar of the prestigious Chateau BEYCHEVELLE
Chandon was sparked into life in 1973 by the visionary spirit of Robert-Jean de Vog?? and California pioneer John Wright. As one of the first French-owned sparkling wine ventures in the U.S., Chandon carefully selected its vineyards and are now considered to be amongst the best for producing quality sparkling wines in California. For over forty years now, Chandon continues to combine traditional French techniques and winemaking knowledge with the beautiful, sun-ripened fruit of California to craft sparkling wines of the highest quality. Chandon's winery, Domaine Chandon is located in Yountville and today Head Winemaker Pauline Lhote and her skilled team continue to innovate and provide a unique expression of the terroir, delighting senses with California brightness, vibrancy and intensity of flavors and aromas.
The 2019 Sancerre La Moussi?re is quite rich, ripe and intense on the yeasty nose that represents a coolish, calcareous marl terroir with really old vines (roughly 60 years old). The fruit is reminiscent of ripe, yellow apples with just a discreet tone of gooseberries. Rich and intense on the palate, this is a powerful and, for now, quite creamy-textured Sancerre that lacks a bit of esprit, freshness and tension. The wine reveals fine tannins instead and might develop well over the years in the bottle but is definitely from a warmer, sunnier vintage. 14% alcohol. Tasted in November 2020.