WINERY: Le Nozay is a small 17th-century castle near Sainte Gemme en Sancerrois in Sancerre. In 1970, Baron Philippe de Benoist and his wife Marie-Hélène settled in Château du Nozay and created Domaine du Nozay. They planted the first hectare of Sauvignon Blanc in 1971, which they later expanded to 15 hectares. Philippe was joined by his son Cyril, who now heads the estate. The Domaine du Nozay has been certified in Organic Agriculture since 2011 and in Biodynamics since 2017. It is a family wine estate in Sancerre, surrounded by peace and tranquility. The resulting wines reflect this.

WINE: Grown in Kimmeridgian marls with lots of clay, 220 meters high on a plateau above the cellar with rows planted north to south, facing the hill of Sancerre. The grapes come only from the plot that bears the same name.

The famous terroir of Sancerre, known as “Terres Blanches” (white lands), promotes self-defense and good health for the vine. Pruning, disbudding, and training techniques are used to create a favorable micro-climate. The soil is managed for the benefit of the biomass and the vine. The Domaine also experiments with sonic stimulation in the vineyards. Speaker towers emit tonal sequences throughout the day to enhance sap circulation and overall plant health.

The 2021 vintage in Sancerre was challenging to say the least, resulting in yields of around 50% of a normal year. In April, an overwhelming frost damaged one-third of the buds. The rain and high humidity of the summer added to the year’s challenges.

The grapes from these vines are pressed with a pneumatic press, with the advantage of not “jostling” the marc and therefore obtaining a very clean must. Vinification takes place in stainless steel barrel-shaped vats, which last as long as possible, with no use of yeasts or superfluous additives. Time does its work while being, despite everything, closely watched.

A brilliant and intense color with golden reflections distilling elegant and discreet aromas of lychee, pink grapefruit, yellow lemon, and especially of sliced yellow peach. With an ideal acidity carried by an admirably structured body, its refreshing notes of pear in syrup, give it a certain pleasure on the palate.