Gérard Boulay Sancerre à Chavignol 2022

Boulay’s entry-level is drawn from mature, 35- to 40-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. From a classically styled Sancerre vintage, you get a wealth of ripe citrus and orchard fruit with just a hint of botanical aroma. On the palate, it’s bright, crystalline and racy, with a ripple of fleshy power alongside a deep core of rocky minerality and a slight grip. It finishes with stony definition and a mineral twang. A great wine in great form