Gerard Boulay Sancerre La Côte 2016

Gerard Boulay Sancerre La Côte is a single-parcel Sancerre from the domaine's coolest and last-picked site, high on the La Grande Côte hillside above Chavignol.

Sancerre lies at the eastern end of the Loire, where Sauvignon Blanc is grown across three broad soil types. La Grande Côte, on the outskirts of the hamlet of Chavignol, is the best known of the steep Kimmeridgian slopes, its chalky marl packed with small fossil oyster shells. The Boulay family has worked vines at Chavignol for generations and holds parcels across that hillside. La Côte was first made as a separate bottling in 2010 from a south-southeast facing section of La Grande Côte, and has quickly become one of the heavyweights of the range. Being the domaine's coolest terroir, it ripens slowly and is the last fruit picked, which gives a wine of greater density and tension than the estate cuvée. Fermentation is with indigenous yeasts and the wine is raised without new oak, resting on its fine lees before bottling.

It is approachable now but has the frame to reward five years or more in bottle. Serve at 10–12°C with goat's cheese, Chavignol's own Crottin above all, or with oysters and grilled whiting.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.