Henri Bourgeois Sancerre Blanc “La Bourgeoise”
WHY WE LOVE IT
- This cuvee is sourced from four plots of very old organically farmed vines that sit on flinty soil.
- These specific plots were worked by monks for centuries, the monks called them “Les Bourgeoises,” which is the reason for the name here.
- If you are looking for a deep, powerful, flinty example of Sauvignon it is hard to find something more compelling than this.
Varietal Composition: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Elaboration: When arriving at the winery, the grapes are directly pressed. After a settling at cold temperature, a portion of the wine is fermented in thermo-regulated stainless steel tanks and the other portion in French oak barrels from the famous Tronçais forest. “La Bourgeoise” is patiently aged for 7–8 months on its fine lees in oak barrel with periodic hand stirring of the lees (“bâtonnage” in french), before bottling
Tasting Notes: This wine with its gun-flint aromas and spicy bouquet is subtly wooded, rich in fruit, full-bodied, well balanced, and very reminiscent of the Sauvignon flower and grape. The richness and intensity of the flavor linger long and harmoniously on the palate. This prestigious selection has excellent bottle maturation potential and will continue to evolve for 10 to 12 years.
PRESS
2013 – 92 Wine Spectator
2014 – 90 Wine Advocate | 90 Wine Spectator
2015 – 91 Wine Enthusiast | 92 Wine Spectator | 93 Wine Advocate
2016 – 92 Wine Enthusiast | 93 Wine Spectator | 93 Wine Advocate
2017 – 92 Wine Spectator | 92 Wine Advocate
2020 – 93 Wine Spectator
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.