101 Sancerre AC 2008 Comtesse
Gérard Boulay

Grape:100% Sauvignon (13% alc.)

This comes from 0.40 hectares of 65 yearold vines on a prime slope in the heart of Monts Damnés. As long ago as 1870 Comtesse was considered the finest vineyard in Sancerre, and rented to him back in 2004 by a retiring vigneron, this is Boulay’s pride and joy. The vines are now attuned to his touch, and offer a wine with more intensity of fruit than Monts Damnés but still with an excellent backbone. For drinking now to 2017.

Technical Information
Winemaker:	Gérard Boulay. His family have passed the domaine on from father to son since 1380.
Location:	Chavignol, near Sancerre
Size of domaine:	11 hectares (including 0.40 hectares of Comtesse)
Grape:	100% Sauvignon, 65 yr oldvines. Massale selection on 3309 rootstock. 8000 vines per hectare trained single guyot.
Terroir:	Right in the heart of the Mont Damnés hillside (lower-mid), Comtesse has long been considered Sancerre’s finest vineyard (and is only 1.5h in total). It was the last vineyard in Sancerre to resist phylloxera, right up until the 2nd World War. Pure kimmeridgian limestone with 30/40-cm of soil above the rock.
Viticulture:	Vines are enherbé between rows to help reduce yields and prevent erosion. Had to severely debud initially (no vendanges en vert). No chemical weedkillers used. Uses sulphur against oidium, homeopathic doses of herbs and Bordeaux mix against pests and only occasionally uses compost. 100% hand harvested. Yields of 47 hectos per hectare.
Vinification:	Pneumatic press. 4 hours pressing at very low pressure. Uses natural indigenous yeasts. No chaptalisation in 2006 or 2007. Vinified at 18°C, in 100% cuve. No malolactics. Assembled and bottled in May with no fining or filtration. 2500 bts produced.
Press:

 

qty (bottles)

exc vat: £22.09