In This Newsletter:
Gerard Boulay
Close-Out Featurette: Vina Zorzal
Gerard Boulay
Close-Out Featurette: Vina Zorzal
Gerard Boulay
Your Three-Day Discount Starts Now
Your Three-Day Discount Starts Now
Gerard Boulay makes some of the best aromatic white wines in France from his vineyards in Chavignol. As the heart of Sancerre, this town hosts top names in the region, including Vatan, François Cotat, and Gerard Boulay.
From his parcels in La Grande Côte, Monts Damnés, and Clos Beaujeu, all of Boulay’s wines ring with terroir and the unique minerality. The wines are exceptionally age-worthy, collectible, and profound: a rare combination in Sauvignon Blanc. It’s remarkable that these wines are even available on the open market, considering the Boulay family has been known for exceptional quality since its founding in 1380.
Gerard Boulay takes his own motto, “nature makes the wine,” to heart. He constantly strives for perfection with minimal intervention and farms organically. The soils are Kimmeridgian, the white chalky soil that runs through Chablis, parts of Champagne, and the white cliffs of Dover. Production is classic, with wines fermented using natural yeast and aged in a mix of oak foudres and used 300L barrels. If that isn’t enough, he also makes incredible rosé and red wines from Pinot Noir small plantings on his holdings.
“Given the crystalline purity of his Sauvignon Blancs, he has become one of my favorite producers of the central Loire. If you want to know what true Sancerre tastes like, try one of his single-vineyard bottlings. It does not come any better!” – Joel Payne, Vinous
From his parcels in La Grande Côte, Monts Damnés, and Clos Beaujeu, all of Boulay’s wines ring with terroir and the unique minerality. The wines are exceptionally age-worthy, collectible, and profound: a rare combination in Sauvignon Blanc. It’s remarkable that these wines are even available on the open market, considering the Boulay family has been known for exceptional quality since its founding in 1380.
Gerard Boulay takes his own motto, “nature makes the wine,” to heart. He constantly strives for perfection with minimal intervention and farms organically. The soils are Kimmeridgian, the white chalky soil that runs through Chablis, parts of Champagne, and the white cliffs of Dover. Production is classic, with wines fermented using natural yeast and aged in a mix of oak foudres and used 300L barrels. If that isn’t enough, he also makes incredible rosé and red wines from Pinot Noir small plantings on his holdings.
“Given the crystalline purity of his Sauvignon Blancs, he has become one of my favorite producers of the central Loire. If you want to know what true Sancerre tastes like, try one of his single-vineyard bottlings. It does not come any better!” – Joel Payne, Vinous
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Gerard Boulay
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Gerard Boulay
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Saturday, January 11th at 9 am Pacific.
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Gerard Boulay
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Saturday, January 11th at 9 am Pacific.
We offer eighteen Gerard Boulay options on sale now, including:
Gerard Boulay Sancerre Chavignol 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $36.50, that’s $34.68 at 5% off and $32.85 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Rebecca Gibb MW-Vinous 90 points “This elegantly done 2023 Sancerre is a success in a difficult vintage. However, due to fanleaf virus and millerandage, yields are naturally lower than in full-strength vineyards, which was welcome in the high-yielding 2023 season. Its texture is the winner here, which is fine and chalky and offers mouthwatering acidity. It is appealing and easy to enjoy with fresh apple and pear fruit.”
Gerard Boulay Sancerre Clos de Beaujeu 2021 1.5L Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 3 magnums in stock now
Rebecca Gibb MW-Vinous 92 points “Depicting a bucolic scene of the church in Boulay’s home of Chavignol along with a couple of goats – this is home to the cheese crottin de Chavignol – the 2021 Sancerre is a rich and impressive style that’s full of nectarine fruit. Vinified in barrel, there’s a roundness to Sauvignon’s normally angular edge and a hint of sweetness although Boulay insists it is fully dry. The white limestone soils provide the tender texture, but there’s a real sense of structural grip on the long finish. Delicious now but based on historic examples, will be even better in 10 years. At the end of the tasting Boulay mentioned the wines had been open for several days before my arrival, and I will endeavor to taste fresh samples.”
Gerard Boulay Sancerre Clos de Beaujeu 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $62.50, that’s $59.38 at 5% off and $56.25 at 10% off, 24 bottles in stock now
Gerard Boulay Sancerre Clos de Beaujeu 2023 1.5L Displayed Price: $128, that’s $121.60 at 5% off and $115.20 at 10% off, 3 magnums in stock now
Importer Note “The Clos de Beaujeu is among the most historic sites in the village of Chavignol. In the 14th century the Clos de Beaujeu supplied the Cathedral of Bourges with white wine. At that time, Sancerre was famous for its red wines. Boulay’s Clos de Beaujeu is a richer, denser step up from the Chavignol village wine.”
Gerard Boulay Sancerre Comtesse 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $77.50, that’s $73.63 at 5% off and $69.75 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Gerard Boulay Sancerre Comtesse 2023 1.5L Displayed Price: $159, that’s $151.05 at 5% off and $143.10 at 10% off, 3 magnums in stock now
Importer Note “The most powerful and complex wine from Boulay’s lineup, with an incredible intensity of fruit and a strong mineral core. Definitely one to put away and follow for years to come.”
Gerard Boulay Sancerre La Côte 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $64.50, that’s $61.28 at 5% off and $58.05 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Gerard Boulay Sancerre La Côte 2022 1.5L Displayed Price: $129, that’s $122.55 at 5% off and $116.10 at 10% off, 3 magnums in stock now
Importer Note “Boulay’s parcel in “La Grande Côte,” which is partially owned and partically rented, is one of three designated Crus of Chavignol and is reputed for producing wines of incredible precision. Vintage 2010 was the inaugural release. Overall, Gerard Boulay’s “terre blanche” vineyards produce some of the most distinctive and soil-inflected Sauvignon Blancs in the Loire, with a delineation and minerality often reminiscent of a top Chablis. Boulay is certainly among the top examples of the appellation, including Boulay’s neighbors (Cotat Bros., Vatan). These are gorgeous, highly complex wines that are a clear step above “regular” Sancerre, and can age easily for 10-20 years or more. In fact, we have had them all the way back to the 1959 which was magnificent! They confirm Boulay’s place in the top ranks of Loire Valley vignerons. (referred to by the Cotat brothers as La Grande Cote)”
Gerard Boulay Sancerre La Côte 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $66.50, that’s $63.18 at 5% off and $59.85 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Gerard Boulay Sancerre La Côte 2023 1.5L Displayed Price: $136, that’s $129.20 at 5% off and $122.40 at 10% off, 2 magnums in stock now
Rebecca Gibb MW-Vinous 92 points “The 2022 La Côte is a meal of a wine with its sinew, richness of fruit and substance. Its natural muscle gives it grip, and the finish has a chewy, gourmand character and chalky texture. A touch more persistence would make it even better. Give this one time…and perhaps a knife and fork.”
Gerard Boulay Sancerre Monts Damnés 2022 1.5L Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 3 magnums in stock now
Rebecca Gibb MW-Vinous 93 points “The 2022 Monts Damnés is a wine whose qualities you might miss because its texture is so fine. It is calm, tender and elegant. It’s not fruity but savory with a pure, clear, chalky style. A little tense at the moment, this wine could be approached but will benefit from another year in bottle – or many more.”
Gerard Boulay Sancerre Monts Damnés 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $66.50, that’s $63.18 at 5% off and $59.85 at 10% off, 22 bottles in stock now
Gerard Boulay Sancerre Monts Damnés 2023 1.5L Displayed Price: $128, that’s $121.60 at 5% off and $115.20 at 10% off, 3 magnums in stock now
Importer Note “Old vines located on a steep slope in the Mont Damnes vineyard that Boulay began farming in 2004. Vines average 45 years old. Aged on the lees in a combination of barrel and tank then bottled unfiltered.
Gerard Boulay Sancerre Oriane Rouge 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 13 bottles in stock now
Rebecca Gibb MW-Vinous 91 points “The 2020 Oriane is a young, richly fruited mouthful of suave, aromatic Pinot Noir. It is somewhat atypical on the nose with agave and wormwood-like characters – a result of half of the wine undergoing whole bunch fermentation – joining cola, wood smoke and licorice. Round with good concentration and a veil of powdery, chalky tannins coating all sides of the palate, reflecting the Kimmeridgian soils of the vineyards. Fine length and line.”
Shop our eighteen selections now from Gerard Boulay!
Vinopolis Close-Out Sale Featurette:
Viña Zorzal
In 2007, brothers Xabi, Iñaki, and Mikel Sanz founded Viña Zorzal to craft single-vineyard, artisanal wines in their family’s home region of Navarra. Their entire Spanish portfolio offer outstanding value. These are wines that have tons of immediate appeal, with rich textures and juicy fruit flavors. They’re also loaded with character, with Viña Zorzal’s light touch in winemaking (low intervention, organically farmed fruit often from century-old vines) allowing the grapes and terroirs to shine through.
In Stock & On Sale Now:
Vina Zorzal Corral de los Altos, Navarra, Spain 2018 750ml Was $24, Now $21.90, 26 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 92 points “All the guest winemakers that take part in the Lecciones de Vuelo joint venture with Viña Zorzal are offered to produce their interpretation of the paraje Corral de los Altos in Fitero. The 2018 Corral de los Altos is Zorzal’s own interpretation of a 45-year-old plot of 2.1 hectares of Garnacha planted on a north-facing stony part of the village. The grapes fermented in stainless steel with some 25% full clusters and indigenous yeasts and matured in seven used (second and third use) 500-liter oak barrels. This has contained ripeness and a medium to full-bodied palate with the classical chalky tannins and texture from the limestone-rich soils and the length and tastiness they provide.”
In Stock & On Sale Now:
Vina Zorzal Corral de los Altos, Navarra, Spain 2018 750ml Was $24, Now $21.90, 26 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 92 points “All the guest winemakers that take part in the Lecciones de Vuelo joint venture with Viña Zorzal are offered to produce their interpretation of the paraje Corral de los Altos in Fitero. The 2018 Corral de los Altos is Zorzal’s own interpretation of a 45-year-old plot of 2.1 hectares of Garnacha planted on a north-facing stony part of the village. The grapes fermented in stainless steel with some 25% full clusters and indigenous yeasts and matured in seven used (second and third use) 500-liter oak barrels. This has contained ripeness and a medium to full-bodied palate with the classical chalky tannins and texture from the limestone-rich soils and the length and tastiness they provide.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
We offer 186 wines on our Close-Out Sale in stock now.
Shop the sale on our webstore now!
Don’t miss our additional sales going on now:
Emrich-Schonleber
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Emrich-Schonleber
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Emrich-Schonleber
Marc Colin
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Marc Colin
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Marc Colin
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Emrich-Schonleber sale ends Thursday, January 9th at 9 am Pacific. Marc Colin sale ends Friday, January 10th at 9 am Pacific.