Domaine de Corbillieres Sauvignon Blanc

The quality of Sauvignon Blanc coming out of the Touraine region of the Loire Valley continues to impress me, considerably more so than it’s rich neighbours up river in Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume. Founded in 1905, Domaine de Corbillieres has been in the Barbou family for four generations and is now run by Dominique and Véronique Barbou, who have 16 hectares of Sauvignon Blanc. In the words of Robert Parker, they have a ‘long-run track record for generating some of the consistently finest – not to mention best-value – Sauvignon Blancs on the planet’. A big call but actually one I would agree with after having followed closely the quality coming out of this Domaine for over ten years. The Domaine des Corbillières Sauvignon de Touraine (£12) is continually highly rated and shows exactly how good Loire Sauvignon Blanc can be, from both a quality and value point of view. A meticulous approach in the vineyard, low yields and full ripeness results in a wine with an intensity on the palate that eliminates the need for the addition of residual sugar. Light lemon-yellow with a fresh, lively perfume of citrus and green apple with hints of sherbet on the nose. On the palate it has great balance with plenty of fresh fruit providing good weight and a zesty acidity giving it a lift. A lively, mineral note gives the finish complexity.