Dagueneau Silex Pouilly-Fumé

Pouilly-Fumé, France

The world's benchmark for what Sauvignon Blanc can achieve — Didier Dagueneau's (now Louis-Benjamin's) Silex from the pure flint-silex soils above Pouilly-sur-Loire. Gunflint, smoke, white peach, citrus oil, chalk, and a mineral depth and structure that develops magnificently over 10-15 years. At peak resembles the finest white Burgundy with Sauvignon's unique aromatic signature. The wine that permanently raised the ceiling of what Sauvignon Blanc can be.

Pairing intelligence

• main: The Loire's most luxurious pairing — Dagueneau's mineral and citrus oil Sauvignon matches the lobster's oceanic sweetness; tarragon bridges the wine's herbal complexity; beurre fondue mirrors the wine's textural richness
• starter: The Loire river's finest freshwater fish preparation and the Loire's most mineral white — Silex's gunflint and citrus oil character bridges the delicate freshwater fish; trout roe adds marine mineral; mustard bridges the wine's herbal complexity