Gilles Lesimple 2025 Chavignol Sancerre

Gilles Lesimple represents the fourth generation of his family to cultivate vines in the heart of Sancerre. Based in the renowned village of Chavignol, he took over the 10-hectare estate in 1997. His approach is defined by a deep technical understanding of the region's diverse geology, which he refined through formal viticultural studies and practical experience working in California before returning to the Loire Valley.

The estate is unique because the vineyard holdings are meticulously spread across all three of Sancerre's primary soil types. Lesimple manages 35 separate parcels, ensuring that his final blends incorporate the aromatic lift of the "caillottes" (stony limestone), the power and structure of the "terres blanches" (Kimmeridgian marl), and the distinct gunflint minerality of the "silex" (flint). This diversity allows him to produce a village wine that serves as a comprehensive snapshot of the appellation's terroir rather than focusing on a single soil profile.

Brilliant and pale yellow. The most typical aromas are nuances of citrus fruits (grapefruit, lemon), exotic fruits (mango and litchi), floral notes (white flowers and shrub broom), greener notes (blackcurrant leaf, asparagus), spices (liquorice), and mineral (smoky, flint). The initial attack is lemony. It wakes up the taste buds, allowing the perception of spiciness on the tip of the tongue. The second impression shows the suppleness and volume of the wines from the ‘stony’ vineyards, blending nicely with the mineral vivacity of the wines from the flint soils.

750mL