2006 Gerard Bouley Sancerre 'Monts Damnes', Loire, France

Mon Boulay has the good fortune to own vines right in the centre of the south facing hillside on the Mont Damnés, the perfect spot in what is widely acknowledged to be the perfect Sancerre vineyard. Here, mineral rich soils are very similar to what is found in Chablis and gives wines of great definition and purity. For many, the fruit of the steep slopes of the 'damned mountain' (christened by the poor wretches who have to trudged up and down it) is the pinnacle of excellence in this world famous appellation and on this evidence, we are sure you will agree. Gérard Bouley, who's family have owned vines in Sancerre since 1380, does everything by hand on his 9 hectares of land and keeps things as natural as possible. Yields in the vineyards are low at around 52 hl/hc on average and in the winery, his approach is strictly non-interventionist. Only natural yeasts are used and he is part of the growing band of wine makers who work with only very minimal sulphur.

This particular wine spends time in both stainless steel tank and 3 – 4 year old oak barrels and is without a doubt the most amazingly wonderful Sancerre we have ever come across, several whole ladders above most. The flavours are utterly clean and pure with nettle and grapefruit being balanced by a flinty edge and an underlying rich, spicy smoke. When you taste this, you understand what Sancerre should be about.

Good with

fish dishes, sashimi, salads, especially those with avocado