Pascal Jolivet was founded in 1987 and is one of the most dynamic domaines in France’s Loire Valley. Based in Sancerre, the domaine now owns 120 hectares of vineyards spread across the appellations of Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé. The domaine supplements the estate holdings with additional fruit sourced from long-term contract growers some of the prime sites of the region including ‘Les Caillottes’, ‘Le Chêne Marchand’ and ‘Le Clos du Roy’. Pascal shares his philosophy with winemaker, Valentina Buoso: to work in harmony with nature to produce wines with purity of fruit, a linear character and minerality, allowing a natural expression of the vineyard to give the wines a sense of place.
Jolivet own 42 hectares of vineyard in Sancerre at an altitude of 200-400m, close to the villages of Bué, Verdigny and Ste Gemme. Located close to the Loire River and surrounded by forest creates a relatively mild micro climate for the vineyards. This wine is the result of a meticulous parcel-by-parcel selection among the estate vineyards and a blending of limestone and griottes terroirs. Les Caillotes is the name given to Kimmeridgian limestone, this terroir represents 1/3 of Sancerre’s vineyards.
The grapes are hand picked and hand sorted, and then gently pressed. The juice is then fermented in stainless steel using wild yeasts. After fermentation, the wine spends a further two months ageing in stainless steel before bottling.
A wine of style marked by richness, elegance and smoothness. Lifted perfumes of flint, citrus zest. This is powerful and presents a perfect balance. The body is full with refreshing acidity to balance the wine which has the classic purity of citrus and nettle fruit found in top quality Sancerre. Appetizing with a mineral character.
Serve with trout or salmon, goats cheese or white meats.
Serve at 10-12°C.
James Suckling: 90 Points
Sancerre AOC, Loire
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Natural Cork
13%
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