Gérard Boulay Sancerre Clos de Beaujeu 2017

Le Clos de Beaujeu is one of Boulay's 'blue-blood' historic sites. Boulay farms two parcels in this terroir, including one within the original Clos of this vineyard, established by the monks of Beaujeu in the Middle Ages. Vines on this slope of Kimmeridgian limestone and clay (terre blanches) are between 30 and an incredible 110 years old. The soils here are particularly rocky--limestone rich and strewn with fossils--similar to parts of Chablis in fact. These rocky soils make this a parcel that is very difficult to farm. A second, even steeper parcel lies closer to the village. Together these south-east facing plots make the Clos de Beaujeu the source of some of the Domaine's most structured and nervy wines. This wine was naturally fermented and raised in large, upright cask (60%) and in three- and four-year-old 300 litre barrels (40%), for 10 months. It's super bright, with lime and fresh pineapple fruit along with hints of anise and a bright, rapier-like freshness and drive. Good weight and texture, yet with a chalkiness that typically only comes from these limestone soils. Outstanding.

Country: France
Region: Loire Valley
Sub Region: Sancerre