Region: Sancerre, Loire Valley Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc First Glance: Fleshy, Mineral, Floral
The Wine: Boulay’s entry-level is drawn from mature, 35- to 50-year-old vines rooted entirely in the limestone soils of Chavignol. The multiple sites are largely sloping vineyards on the lower flanks of the Chavignol hillside terroirs of Les Chasseignes, Les Longues Fins and Le Rue de Veaux. Importantly, Boulay also includes fruit from his younger vines on the great hillside of La Grande Côte.
The juice is naturally fermented and aged for eight months in tank, on lees, with a small volume also fermented in a single, large wooden cask. This is the only blended cuvée in the Boulay line-up, yet, even here, we can taste the kind of finesse, texture and stony/earthy/salty minerality that has made this humble grower one of France’s most respected vignerons.
A fleshier release than last year—yet still almost devoid of varietal character—look forward to flavours of intense crystalline citrus, white flowers and white stone fruit intertwined with a lovely rocky texture alongside deliciously salty, iodised freshness, mineral vibrancy and mouth-watering phenolic structure. It’s a beautifully composed release showcasing a touch more density and palate weight than the previous vintage. It finishes with a stony definition, chalky cut and great length. As always, it’s a benchmark that showcases the remarkable terroir that is Chavignol.
