2012 Gérard Boulay, Sancerre Monts Damnés, Loire Valley, France.
This is absolutely the best Sancerre I’ve had this last year, maybe ranking all time in fact, without question Gerard Boulay is one of the greatest talents with Sauvignon Blanc currently, and these are wines that are profound. His latest set of Cru wines really are spectacular and filled with glorious harmony and grace. I found the Clos de Beaujeu and this Monts Damnes a slight step up from the rest at this stage, while the La Cote might come along as a better wine with time, but that might be nitpicking on my part as all the Boulay wines were stellar. The Monts Damnes entranced me with steely mineral essences, precise detail and balance, this wine was created by an artist with a deft touch, it has layers of fruit that is both lively and subtle in a most joyous way. The 2012 Gerard Boulay Sancerre Monts Damnes starts with spring blossoms, citrus and crunchy stones showing lemon/lime, grapefruit, white peach, gooseberry and quince, then there is chalky wet stones, hints of grass, herbs and melon. There is an intense core of acidity, but you don’t get a shock or is it nervy, it just is there freeing the wine, lifting and keeping it in a heightened state of pleasure, this is grand Sauvignon Blanc, drink 2014 to 2020.
($45 Est.) 92-94 Points, grapelive
