2008 Gerard Boulay "Clos du Beaujeu" Sancerre Chavignol

92 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Light gold. Sexy aromas of white flowers, mace, pear and Meyer lemon. Offers a suave blend of fleshy orchard fruits and nervier citrus elements, with strong mineral cut and building floral character. The minerality defines the long, sappy, focused finish, which leaves spice and talc notes behind. I really like this wine's marriage of volume and vibrancy." (March/April 10) 91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Boulay’s 2008 Sancerre Clos de Beaujeu offers a gorgeous nose of lime and musky, saline intimations of scallop that go on to inform a satin-textured palate of sorbet like cooling, soothing richness, a effect added to by ripe honeydew melon, nut oils, and the promised scallop-like note. At the same time, a suffusion of chalk and stream of fresh lime serve for refreshing counterpoint. This long-finishing and for its vintage uncommonly rich and gentle yet also buoyant Sancerre should be worth following for at least 4-6 years." (08/10) The 9-hectare Boulay family domaine, located in Chavignol, can trace its history back to 1380. At the time, the Clos de Beaujeu was already known for the quality of its white wine, which is remarkable since Sancerre was known as a red wine area until after phylloxera. In the 14th century the Clos de Beaujeu supplied the Cathedral of Bourges with white wine. The Clos de Beaujeu Sancere is from a single vineyard (0.75 hectare) and is fermented in barrel and bottled without filtration.