Henri Bourgeois Sancerre Blanc "La Côte des Mont Damnés"

Henri Bourgeois Sancerre Blanc “La Côte des Monts Damnés”

WHY WE LOVE IT

  • La Côte des Monts Damnés is an extremely steep south and south-west facing slope in the village of Chavignol composed of Kimmeridgian marls (a soil made up of fossilized seashells and clay).
  • This unique terroir is arguably the world’s most sensational piece of land when it comes to the production of Sauvignon Blanc with depth, power, and aging potential.
  • Only 12 wineries own wines on this slope, and Henri Bourgeois owns more of it than anyone, and in a prime location straddling the top of the hill.

Varietal Composition: 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Elaboration: During the harvest, only the very ripest grapes are hand-picked and carefully brought to the cellar where they are gently pressed to release their aromas. The must is left to settle naturally for a couple of days and fermented, in thermo-regulated stainless steel tanks. The wine is then matured on its fine lees between 9 to 10 months before bottling.

Tasting Notes: The near-vertical slope of the Monts Damnés produces wines that have delicate tropical fruit (a proof of ripe Sauvignon grapes) and vibrant citrus aromas. The palate confirms this fruitiness and brings a nice and clean mineral note.

PRESS

2016 – 91 Decanter | 93 Wine Spectator

2017 – 91 Decanter | 92 Wine Advocate | 93 Wine Spectator

2019 – 94 Wine Advocate

2021 – 91 Wine Spectator

2022 – 93 Vinous

PRODUCER BACKGROUND

For ten generations now the Bourgeois family has devoted its passion and values to Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, becoming Sancerre’s most well-known producer. The company is now led by the current generation of the family – Jean-Marie and Remi Bourgeois. The winery and family base is the village of Chavignol, and Domaine holdings can be found on a mosaic of plots throughout Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. Each plot is isolated and worked in respect of its origin to reveal, in the most precise and true way, the expression of its terroir, whether we are talking Kimmeridgian marls, flint, or limestone clay soils. We see this expressed in a dizzying array of bottlings, many of which are amongst the most sought after of their kind in the Loire each year.

PRINT review SHELF TALKER (2019 – 94 Wine Advocate)