Emile Balland’s estate includes a little bit of Sancerre, but eight of his nine hectares are in the Coteaux du Giennois on the other side of the river, a long riverside strip of mixed vineyards and farmland south of the town of Gien, and the most northerly of the Sauvignon Blanc dedicated appellations in this western quarter of the Loire. Emile farms organically and intervenes as little as possible, so his wines show off the shimmering energy native to the limestone soil. The Beaux Jours cuvée - in rainy vintages, Emile calls this cuvée ‘Attendent les Beaux Jours - starts with fresh, rambunctious aromas of pepperoncini, orange zest, lemon curd, and rosemary. The palate is medium bodied with notes of meyer lemon, wild strawberry, salt and pepper. The acidity is bracing and neatly cleans up after all the fun of the mid-palate, leaving behind fresh herbs and citrus on the finish. Classic Loire Sauvignon Blanc for under $20 is increasingly hard to find. We’re lucky to have this one.