Vincent Gaudry - Sancerre Le Tournebride 2021

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2023

Producer	Vincent Gaudry
Country	France
Region	Loire Valley
Subregion	Sancerre
Varietal	Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage	2021
Sku	12013001
Size	750ml

     

Gaudry’s vineyards are planted on all three predominant Sancerre terroirs: silex (flinty soils: structure, length, and lift), which runs in a narrow band along a fault line passing underneath the town of Sancerre, terres blanches (Kimmeridgian clay-limestone marl: mouthfeel), and caillottes (hard, weathered Oxfordian limestone: nose, aromatics).

Vincent explains that, historically, when Sancerre was still sold by the barrel to satisfy the thirst of Paris bistros, négociants used to blend wines from the three different terroirs of Sancerre in equal parts to make a complete wine that travels well. In reference to this tradition, his cuvée ‘Le Tournebride’, which is the primary wine of the domaine, is a blend of sauvignon blanc grown on caillottes from Verdigny, terres blanches from Sury-en-Vaux, and silex from Saint-Satur. For Vincent, ‘Le Tournebride’ represents a complete, transparent expression of Sancerre, delicately perfumed with a touch of gras and mineral tension.

Vinification – ‘Le Tournebride’ is hand harvested in small crates before being destemmed, and spontaneously fermented with natural yeasts in stainless steel tanks and large, used French foudres. Malolactic fermentation is spontaneous. Each parcel is picked at exactly the right moment and vinified individually, before being blended and aged on the fine lees without bâtonnage for 18 months, and then bottled according to the lunar calendar, unfined and unfiltered.

Sancerre

Site: Verdigny, Sancerre, and Saint-Satur at 200-300m

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc (planted from old massale selection)

Vine Age: 40 years old average

Soil: Caillotes in Verdigny, Terres Blanches in Sury-en-Vaux, and Silex in Saint-Satur

Vinification: Spontaneously fermented with natural yeasts in 50% stainless steel tanks and 50% large used French foudres

Aging: 18 months in stainless steel on the lees in stainless steel tanks without bâtonnage

MLF: Spontaneous

Farming: Certified organic (Ecocert), Certified Biodynamic (Demeter)

Fining/Filtration: None

Vegan: Yes

For those in the know, Vincent Gaudry has been handcrafting some of the most essential, soulful wines of the Loire River Valley for over 30 years…

in his craftsman cellar in the tiny hamlet of Chambre near Sury-en-Vaux, Sancerre. These days, it may be easy to overlook Sancerre as a simple Parisian bistro wine or dismiss sauvignon blanc for the intellectual credentials of chenin blanc; however, one visit with Vincent Gaudry turns those who meet him into true believers. A journey through the Sancerre terroir with a virtuoso like Vincent is akin to stepping through an unmarked door into a hidden universe filled with colors, flavors, and textures one did not previously know existed. We refer to Vincent Gaudry as the “last Jedi of Sancerre,” due to his mastery of the complexities of the Sancerre terroir and his humble transparency and insight when speaking about his deeply held beliefs regarding the power of the earth and energy exchange between himself, his vineyards, and wines. Vincent is a true minimalist whose guiding principle is “Trust in Nature.” Gaudry wines are in tune with the elements, instilling a feeling of being profoundly connected to the land. Driven by his deep respect for the wisdom of past generations of local vignerons, Gaudry’s wines are inspired by history and, as a result, are among the most transparent, soulful, and authentic in the region. 

The domaine was established by Vincent’s grandfather with only a few hectares of vines before being passed to Vincent’s father, Georges, who gradually enlarged the estate to 9.5 hectares. Vincent was only 16 years old when he joined his father in the family business in 1991, taking over entirely in 1993 when his father fell unexpectedly ill. Today, he and his wife Séverine, who handles the administrative aspects of the domaine, farm 11 hectares of vineyards with organic, biodynamic, and regenerative practices. Getting rid of the chemicals in the vineyard became the first priority for young Vincent. He immediately began converting to organic farming in 1995, obtaining organic certification in 2002. With a desire to go even further, he developed a deep appreciation for biodynamic farming and the balance it brought to his vineyards. He began farming his vineyards with biodynamic principles in 2000, becoming the first producer in Sancerre with a Demeter certification in 2004. Witnessing firsthand the positive relationship between the vineyards, forests, and their animal inhabitants brought on by his regenerative agricultural practices, Vincent works with nature and a sober pragmatism to maintain a balance in his vineyards and wine.