A pure, vibrant and beautifully balanced Sancerre, bringing together the freshness of Sauvignon Blanc with the distinctive limestone minerality of Bué.
The 2023 Synopsis is bright and aromatic, with lemon, grapefruit and green apple complemented by ripe stone fruit, white flowers and subtle chalky notes.
Crisp and energetic yet generous through the mid-palate, this is an elegant and highly versatile expression of Sancerre—fresh enough for the aperitif, but with enough texture and character for the dining table.
Region: Loire Valley, France
Appellation: Sancerre AOP
Vintage: 2023
Producer: Domaine Merlin-Cherrier
Cuvée: Synopsis
Grape: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyards: Parcels around Bué and the Sancerre appellation
Soils: Limestone, clay-limestone and marl
Style: Dry White Wine
Unlike the domaine's single-vineyard expressions, Synopsis brings together Sauvignon Blanc from a selection of parcels, creating a broader representation of the domaine and the limestone-rich terroirs surrounding Bué.
The result combines aromatic freshness with greater texture and mineral complexity than a simple fruit-driven Sauvignon Blanc.
Nose:
Fresh and expressive, with lemon, lime, and grapefruit, accompanied by green apple, ripe pear, and delicate white flowers.
With air, subtle notes of stone fruit, herbs and chalky minerality begin to emerge.
Palate:
Bright and energetic on entry, with juicy citrus and green apple developing toward ripe peach and yellow stone fruit through the mid-palate.
Vibrant acidity provides excellent freshness, while the limestone soils contribute an attractive mineral tension.
Structure:
Medium-bodied and beautifully balanced, combining crisp acidity with enough fruit concentration and texture to give the wine genuine presence.
Finish:
Clean, persistent and refreshing, with lingering citrus, white flowers and a fine chalky-mineral character.
Synopsis provides an excellent introduction to the wines of Domaine Merlin-Cherrier.
Rather than focusing on one individual vineyard, the cuvée brings together Sauvignon Blanc from different parcels, allowing several of Sancerre's limestone-influenced soil types to contribute to the final wine.
The result is a particularly complete expression of the domaine's style: fresh, aromatic and mineral, but with enough ripe fruit and texture to avoid becoming overly lean or austere.
The 2023 vintage adds attractive generosity to the wine, with ripe stone fruit alongside the more traditional citrus, floral, and mineral characteristics of Sancerre.
It is immediately enjoyable, versatile and wonderfully food-friendly.
The 2023 vintage gives Synopsis an appealing combination of ripeness and freshness.
Lemon, grapefruit and green apple provide the initial freshness, while ripe peach and other yellow fruits add generosity through the center of the palate.
The wine remains beautifully balanced by lively acidity and a persistent chalky-mineral character.
Now with a few years of bottle development, the 2023 should be entering an especially attractive stage, with the youthful fruit beginning to integrate while retaining plenty of freshness.
Drink now – 2030
Synopsis is designed to be approachable relatively young, and the 2023 is drinking beautifully now.
Over the next several years, expect the youthful citrus and green-apple character to become rounder, with subtle notes of preserved lemon, dried flowers, and savory minerality beginning to emerge.
Serving Temperature: 9–11°C
Serve chilled but not excessively cold. Around 10–11°C allows the fruit and mineral characteristics to show more clearly.
The combination of citrus freshness, ripe fruit, and minerality makes Synopsis particularly versatile.
Excellent with:
Oysters · Ceviche · Sushi · Shrimp · Crab · Scallops · Grilled Sea Bass · Local Snapper · Goat Cheese · Burrata · Asparagus · Fresh Salads · Roast Chicken
Pair with fresh oysters, fish ceviche, or grilled local snapper.
The citrus and mineral character works beautifully with fresh seafood, while the additional fruit and texture of the 2023 give it enough weight to accompany grilled fish or scallops.
For a classic Loire pairing, serve with fresh goat cheese, where the creamy and tangy character of the cheese provides an excellent contrast to the wine's Sauvignon Blanc freshness.
Within the Merlin-Cherrier collection, Synopsis is the perfect introduction to the domaine: approachable and versatile, while Chêne Marchand and Grand Chemarin offer the opportunity to explore the more concentrated and individual personalities of specific Bué vineyard sites.
