2023 Vincent Gaudry 'Le Tournebride’ AOC Sancerre

Variety:  100% Sauvignon Blanc

Region of Origin: Sancerre, Loire Valley, France

Tasting Notes

 On the nose it has vibrant iodine minerality, white flowers, citrus, fresh gooseberry and peach, as well as spicy notes.  The palate is a delicious savoury texture. This cuvee is fresh and vibrant showing beautiful tension and depth. Very authentic and real expression of Sancerre with a true sense of place.

Winemaker and Winemaking

 The winemaker is Vincent Gaudry. Operating from his family estate in Sury-en-Vaux, near the village of Sancerre in France's Loire Valley, Vincent has been crafting wines that reflect the region's terroir for over 30 years. He began working in the family vineyards at the age of 16 and took over the Domaine in the early 1990s. Notably, he was the first winemaker in Sancerre to achieve biodynamic certification (Demeter) in 2004, emphasizing his commitment to organic and biodynamic farming practices. 'Le Tournebride' is Vincent's flagship cuvée and it pays homage to a traditional Sancerre practice where wines were crafted by combining grapes from various terroirs to achieve balance and complexity. Vincent employs a minimalist approach which utilises natural yeasts, with fermentation occurring in a mix of 50% stainless steel tanks and 50% large wooden vats (foudres). The wine is aged on its fine lees for approximately 15 months, enhancing texture and complexity. No fining or filtration is applied, and minimal sulphur is used. Top of Form

 The Vineyards

 The three primary soil types of the Sancerre appellation:

• Caillottes: Chalky limestone soils from Verdigny, contributing aromatic finesse.

• Terres Blanches: Kimmeridgian clay-limestone from Sury-en-Vaux, providing structure and depth.

• Silex: Flinty soils from Saint-Satur, imparting minerality and tension.