2015 Domaine du Nozay Sancerre

Time Travel and “Terres Blanches”

A canopied, tree-lined road connects Domaine du Nozay to the small village of Sainte Gemme-en-Sancerrois (population 400). Emerging from the leafy tunnel, we felt time move backwards. The original 17th century château still stands in pristine condition, ringed by sloping vineyards and quaint storehouses.

The estate has belonged to the de Benoist family since the end of the 19th century, but it was revolutionized in 1970, when le Baron Philippe de Benoist and his wife, Marie-Hélène, moved in. Determined to produce a “vignoble d’exception,” the couple planted Sauvignon Blanc and slowly expanded their holdings to the current 37 acres.

Le Baron was no fool. He knew that the estate’s soils were composed of the famed “terres blanches,”or Kimmeridgian marl. The chalky, clay soil, which turns white during droughts, produces deep-fruited, direct wines with crisp acidity and tremendous aging potential. In the incredible 2015 growing season, Philippe’s son, Cyril, now winemaker at Nozay, brought forth all that the “terres blanches”had to offer, and more.

Things got off to an epic start as a warm, dry spring gave way to a hot and sunny summer, setting up 2015 in Sancerre to be one of the finest vintages in recent memory. From Amigny to Chavignol, it was smooth sailing clear through the end of August, without any of the usual hurdles (hail, mildew, etc.) the Sancerrois face in more challenging years.

• ABV 12.50%
• Enjoy right away
• % Sauvignon Blanc