Yesterday I tasted through 33 different Loire Sauvignons with a view to selecting 14 to present at Vinexpo next week. These had all won gold or above in competitions, so they were a good bunch. Here are four that stood out to me.

Henri Bourgeois Sancerre ‘La Chapelle des Augustins’ 2011 Loire, France
Complex, intense and powerful with great depth of flavour. There’s melon, pear and citrus fruit, with a rich texture and great power. Seamless and mineral. 93/100

Henri Bourgeois Sancerre ‘La Baronnes’ 2012 Loire, France
Finely aromatic, fresh and expressive. Where Augustins is big, concentrated and rich, this is lighter and more mineral, with grapefruit freshness. Lovely focus with great balance. Lovely. 92/100

Mister L 2011 Vin de Pays du Val du Loire, France
A Sauvignon Blanc, made from a single vineyard owned by David Levin. This is a dramatic wine: intense aromas of pear and quince lead to a rich palate showing pear and citrus fruit with some pithy, herbal notes. Rich, bold and concentrated. 91/100

Rethore Davy Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Val de Loire IGP, France
Ripe passionfruit and pear aromatics. Lovely depth on the palate: intense with great balance, ripe fruit and fresh grapefruit notes. Lively and delicious. 91/100

Find these wines with wine-searcher.com