New Vintage of a Vin Chicago Sancerre Fave!
The wines of Jean-Paul Labaille have long captivated us with their depth, texture and authenticity. When we learned his 2025 "L'Authentique" Sancerre Blanc was arriving in Chicago, we grabbed all we could!
With a more-ish texture and true mineral tension, this native yeast fermented, unfiltered white offers real Sancerre goodness, and does so at a lower-than-normal-for-Sancerre price.
Read on for our tasting notes on this just-arrived Vin Chicago favorite, and for a rare Sancerre Rouge from Paul Prieur, then hit that Big Green Button to get in on the fun!
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2025 Thomas-Labaille "L'Authentique" Sancerre
Loire Valley, France
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From vineyards in Chavignon, the epicenter of the Sancerre region, this new release from Jean-Paul Labaille delivers the fresh, early-drinking character and vivacity adored by Sancerre drinkers.
The Labaille family holdings reach as far as the famous slopes of Les Monts Damnés, yet their winery is quite a modest operation. While Jean-Paul has spruced up the winery since taking it over from his father-in-law over 30 years ago, little has really changed here since 1950. Just pure, honest winemaking.
Their wines have been imported by Louis/Dressner for decades, which is a real stamp of approval. Critically, it also allows the winery team to focus on making the wine and not having to expend effort in selling to the essential US market.
The 2025 L'Authentique has everything we want from Sancerre. It has the minerality for shucked oysters or sushi, the vibrance for shrimp ceviche, the poise for goat cheese, and the combination of fruit and structure to make it great to sip on its own.
There are only five online listings for this new vintage, with a median retail of $36. Given the caliber of the wine and the pricing of Sancerre these days, that's quite reasonable. Handily beating each of those listings, our price is a good bit less.
Vin Chicago Price: 29.99
94 Points from Vinous for this Rare Sancerre Rouge!
Just 11% of Sancerre's production is red, with an even smaller percentage making it to the States. Crafted from Pinot Noir, warmer harvests in recent years have made the wines darker and sturdier, with Sancerre's mineral-laden soils keeping them energized.
Out of the 45 bottlings of 2022 Sancerre Rouge reviewed by Vinous, this beauty from Paul Prieur sits on top of the heap, earning a higher score than every other wine. Sadly, only a few cases available today.
2022 Paul Prieur “Les Pichons” Sancerre Rouge
Loire Valley, France
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Our small cache of the Paul Prieur "Les Pichons" comes from a lieu-dit site of limestone marl soil, with own-rooted vines planted in the 1950s. In the ripe, rich 2022 growing season, they have created a real gem...
“The 2022 Les Pichons is a serious, intellectual and elegant Sancerre. It has distinctive cinnamon spice aromas, but what's most interesting about this red Sancerre is not its fruity, spiced flavors but its texture. This is airy and refined, with fragrance, fine density and line. The 2022 is the chalkiest and most sophisticated of Prieur's Pinots. Drinking Window: 2026 - 2038."
- 94 Points, Vinous - Rebecca Gibb MW (8/2025)
In the realm of pinnacle Sancerre Rouge, the value here is quite strong. It is a perfect way to experience this under-explored category. We only wish we had more of it.
Vin Chicago Price: 49.99
