Tasting Notes
From one of Sancerre’s most admired growers, this cuvée captures both the finesse of Chavignol’s limestone soils and Boulay’s precise, thoughtful winemaking. It's made up of the single vineyard young vines and some of the lower lying parts of the vineyards. The nose is bright and lifted, with aromas of citrus zest, white flowers and a fine mineral edge that immediately speaks of place. On the palate, it shows excellent balance: ripe lemon and grapefruit notes sit alongside a subtle orchard fruit richness, all carried on a line of chalky, saline minerality. The finish is long, refreshing and incredibly pure – a benchmark expression of Sancerre that is both delicious in youth and capable of rewarding a few years in the cellar. - Chris L
The Boulay family has been rooted in Chavignol since the 14th century, and today Gérard Boulay is recognised as one of the Loire Valley’s benchmark producers. His organically tended vineyards lie on the steep, Kimmeridgian limestone slopes surrounding Chavignol – the same fossil-rich soils that run through Chablis – and it is this terroir that gives his wines their crystalline purity and long-lived character.
Boulay works across some of Chavignol’s most celebrated lieux-dits: La Côte (a south-facing slope producing rich, structured Sancerre of great depth), Clos de Beaujeu (an historic site with thin soils and steep terraces giving nervy, mineral wines), and Monts Damnés (the “damned mountain”, one of Sancerre’s greatest vineyards, delivering power, intensity and remarkable ageing capacity). From these sites he produces distinct bottlings, alongside the Tradition cuvée – a blend of several parcels around the village that showcases the elegance and finesse of Chavignol as a whole.
In the cellar, Boulay works with minimal intervention: natural fermentations, élevage in stainless steel and neutral oak, and no unnecessary additions. The result is wines that are pure, terroir-driven and highly expressive – vibrant and saline in their youth, yet capable of evolving for decades. His Sancerres stand as true reference points for the appellation, bridging immediate pleasure with profound age-worthiness.
| Product Type | Wine White Sauvignon Blanc |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Country | France |
| Region | Loire Valley |
| Sub Region | Sancerre |
| Winemaking Practices | Minimal Intervention |
| Vineyard Practices | Organic/Biodynamic |