Flatiron Wines & Spirits SF

There is a famous quote from Robert Parker that has followed this estate for decades. He famously declared that if he were forced to drink only one Brunello di Montalcino for the rest of his life, it would be Pertimali. This was always a somewhat shocking admission, because Parker built his reputation on loving massive, modern, oak-driven wines. Pertimali, run by the Sassetti family, is none of those things. It is a staunch, unwavering traditionalist.

The Sancerre appellation is vast and variable. It produces everything from light, grassy bistro wines to serious, structured whites. Like Burgundy, where some villages and sites are clearly superior to others. And in Sancerre, the tiny hamlet of Chavignol is universally recognized as one of the best of all.

Visiting Domaine du Jaugaret is like stepping into a time machine. While neighbors like Ducru-Beaucaillou and Léoville-Poyferré operate out of gleaming, architect-designed facilities that resemble luxury hotels, Jaugaret remains a "dungeon." The cellar is small, dim, and lined with black mold; filled with ancient barrels and rusted iron tools. It hasn't changed much since the Fillastre family began making wine here in 1654.