Domaine du Nozay 2021 Sancerre Le Paradis

Le Nozay is a small 17th-century castle located near the village of Sainte Gemme en Sancerrois to the north of Sancerre. It wasn’t until 1970 that Baron Philippe de Benoist and his wife Marie-Hélène came to settle in the Château du Nozay in this magnificent setting which later became the Domaine du Nozay. Armed with their will and their ardor to create a vineyard in Sancerre, Philippe and Marie-Hélène de Benoist planted the first hectare of Sauvignon Blanc, the king grape variety of Sancerrois, in 1971 an area which they extended over time to 15 hectares.

After their first harvest in 1974, medals and other prizes soon came to reward the work of Philippe, who joined in the vineyard and in the cellars for a few years by his son Cyril. He notably cut his teeth in Bourgogne in Cote Chalonnaise.

Convinced of the benefits of organic and biodynamic cultivation, the Domaine du Nozay has been certified since 2011 in Organic Agriculture and since 2017 in Biodynamics. In order to be part of a perspective of respect for the environment and common-sense farmers, they here lead the Domaine du Nozay to the heights of quality, and respect for the vines and soils, so that they can produce exceptional wines.

Intervening in the vineyards only to cultivate the soil, fertilize it naturally, or to treat the vines, with the help of a weather station that is used wisely. The grapes from these vines are pressed with a pneumatic press, with the advantage of not “jostling” the marc and therefore obtaining a very clean must. Vinification takes place in stainless steel barrel-shaped vats, clay amphora, which last as long as possible, with no use of yeasts or superfluous additives. Time does its work while being, despite everything, closely watched.

The Domaine du Nozay remains a family wine estate in Sancerre, isolated in a haven of peace and tranquility. The resulting wines resemble it.

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Le Paradis

Vine Age: 30 years

This terroir is very rich in shell fossils and has the particularity of whitening as it dries, hence its local name of Terres Blanches “white lands”. Being also sticky and very difficult to access when wet, it is also found under the term “big earth”. This layer is a succession of very irregular thicknesses comprised of marl interspersed with limestone beds.

To compensate, a great deal of time was spent in the vineyard, so what was left was of great quality. The biodynamic vines in this vineyard fared better than those of neighboring vineyards that are not farmed the same way.

The 2021 vintage in Sancerre was challenging to say the least, resulting in yields of around 50% of a normal year. In April, an overwhelming frost damaged one-third of the buds. The rain and high humidity of the summer added to the year’s challenges.

Vinification
Fermentation: Naturally in stainless steel barrel-shaped vats
Aging: 6 months in stainless steel barrel-shaped vats
Filtration: Light lenticular filtration
Fining: No fining
Technical Information
Varietal Composition: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol: 12.77%

Tasting Notes
A brilliant and intense color with golden reflections distilling elegant and discreet aromas of lychee pink grapefruit, yellow lemon, and especially sliced yellow peach. With an ideal acidity carried by an admirably structured body, its refreshing notes of pear in syrup, give it a certain pleasure on the palate.