A refined, dry and beautifully mineral Sancerre Rosé, produced entirely from Pinot Noir in the celebrated village of Bué.
The 2025 Merlin-Cherrier Sancerre Rosé combines fresh redcurrant, wild strawberry and summer berries with delicate floral notes and the distinctive limestone freshness of Sancerre.
Elegant and refreshing yet surprisingly substantial on the palate, this is a rosé with genuine character—less about simple summer fruit and more about freshness, texture and terroir.
Region: Loire Valley, France
Appellation: Sancerre AOP
Vintage: 2025
Producer: Domaine Merlin-Cherrier
Village: Bué
Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
Alcohol: 13.5% ABV
Soils: Marl & Clay-Limestone
Vinification: Direct Pressing & Temperature-Controlled Fermentation
Aging: On the Lees
Style: Dry Rosé
Unlike the Sauvignon Blanc that dominates the domaine's white wines, Sancerre Rosé is produced from Pinot Noir.
Direct pressing keeps the color beautifully delicate while preserving the freshness of the fruit. Aging on the lees adds subtle texture and roundness, giving the wine considerably more presence than its pale appearance might suggest.
Nose:
Fresh and expressive, with redcurrant, wild strawberry and raspberry accompanied by delicate floral notes and subtle limestone minerality.
Palate:
Dry, fresh and beautifully textured. Crisp red berries lead into a surprisingly broad, rounded mid-palate, with vibrant acidity that adds freshness and precision.
Structure:
Light to medium-bodied, with a delicate creamy texture from lees aging balanced by lively acidity and mineral tension.
Finish:
Fresh and increasingly intense, with lingering red berries, redcurrant and a clean mineral character.
Domaine Merlin-Cherrier Sancerre Rosé offers a completely different expression of rosé from the pale Grenache- and Cinsault-based wines of Provence.
Here, Pinot Noir takes center stage.
The fruit comes from the limestone and marl soils surrounding Bué, giving the wine a combination of red-fruit character, freshness and mineral precision.
The grapes are directly pressed rather than undergoing prolonged skin contact, producing a delicate color while retaining the aromatic character of Pinot Noir.
Lees aging then brings additional texture and roundness to the palate.
The result is a rosé that is fresh, elegant, mineral, and surprisingly gastronomic—equally enjoyable as an aperitif or alongside a full meal.
The 2025 vintage gives the wine a particularly fresh and expressive personality.
Redcurrant, raspberry and fresh summer berries dominate the youthful aromatic profile, while the palate combines vibrant fruit with refreshing acidity and an attractive mineral character.
The wine's youthful freshness makes it immediately appealing, but the additional texture from lees aging gives it enough substance to remain interesting at the table.
Drink now – 2028
This rosé is designed primarily for youthful enjoyment, when its Pinot Noir fruit and freshness are at their most vibrant.
Over the next two to three years, the bright red-fruit character should soften slightly and integrate while retaining the wine's underlying mineral freshness.
Serving Temperature: 9–11°C
Avoid serving excessively cold. Around 10°C allows the Pinot Noir fruit and subtle texture to become considerably more expressive.
The structure of Pinot Noir makes this a particularly versatile rosé at the table.
Excellent with:
Tuna Tartare · Salmon · Sushi · Ceviche · Shrimp · Crab · Grilled Fish · Charcuterie · Roast Chicken · Duck · Goat Cheese · Burrata · Mediterranean Vegetables
Pair with tuna tartare, grilled salmon, or fresh fish ceviche.
The red-fruit character of Pinot Noir works particularly well with tuna and salmon, while the wine's acidity and mineral freshness keep the pairing light and precise.
For something more substantial, try it with roast chicken or lightly seared duck breast. This is where Sancerre Rosé distinguishes itself from many lighter Provence styles—the Pinot Noir provides enough structure and personality to accompany food rather than simply acting as a refreshing aperitif.
For The Tasting Room, I would position this alongside your Provence rosés as the alternative for guests who want something drier, more mineral, and more gastronomic.
Pinot Noir Rosé with the precision of Sancerre.
