Jean-Christophe Mandard Intention No 1 is an amazing, complex blend of equal parts Chenin Blanc, Orbois and Sauvignon Blanc. The wine is aged in small oak barrels for 6 months and is made in small quantities each year. The wine displays rich intense green and yellow fruit, floral notes and baked spice notes whilst keeping an intensive mineral core. It’s unique and impressive.

The Domaine is situated outside of Mareuil-sur-Cher, on the south side of the river Cher where the soils are made up of clay, limestone and silex. Altogether they farm 27 hectares, made up from nine different grape varieties of which Sauvignon Blanc remains the most important. It is here, on the deeper clay soils that Sauvignon Blanc displays a lightness, finesse and concentration of flavour that is often lacking from the Touraine Sauvignons of Oisly and Thesee on the north side of the river Cher which are planted on sandier soil. Mandard has some particularly old vines of Sauvignon along with a vineyard in Chenonceaux which is an area of immense potential and offers superb value in comparison to areas like Sancerre.

The Domaine also farms a rare indigenous grape called Orbois, which was quite a revelation due to its texture derived from lees aging rather than oak. Well worth trying.