New Entry-Level Wines from La Porte Saint Jean

In the time Leon & Son has been open, Sylvain Dittiere’s domaine (La Porte Saint Jean) has risen to Saumur’s top tier. A wunderkind, Dittiere wasted no time starting his hometown domaine at the age of 24 (and, by 2010 he had amazingly already worked at Domaine Gauby in Roussillon, Thierry Germain and Clos Rougeard in Saumur Champigny). Since then he’s fine tuned his style of Saumur: reds that emphasize aromatics & deeply flavored fruit, and famously textured whites that vibrate with area’s Chalk and limestone soils.

Now, he's put his talents towards three brand new wines meant to be enjoyed upon release, and more gently priced than anything he's made before: all from his organically grown fruit and (unlike the wines we know so well) not in need of aging. Inaugurating the new wines are also brand new labels from famed Bourgueil-born Jacques Halbert.

If Dittiere’s intense farming and hands-off approach in the cellar are new to you, we can’t imagine a better time to experience his wines.

2022 LA PETITE PERLEE $45
The same exact fruit you see in his La Perlee, a Chenin plot with wildly old vines raging from 60 to 90 years old. The difference here is simply the élevage. 'Petite Perlee' sees no wood and a little more than a year in tank. But, the two wines have more in common than not.

2023 ROSERICA ROSÉ $35/$75
This Cab Franc is sneakily powerful and serious, while still delivering incredible freshness. Directly pressed and mainly aged in old barrel. It's delicious and could easily flex at the table. Reminds us a little of the passetoutgrain rosé from Pierre Henri Rougeot. 1 btl max per customer. Magnums, too!

2023 BITURICA ROUGE $40/$84
A Cab Franc made almost entirely from free run juice. Aromatic, quenching; it's a fresh style raised in a mix of old wood and tank. Magnums, too!