Elegant, expressive and beautifully textured, Gérard Boulay’s Monts Damnés captures the character of one of Sancerre’s most celebrated vineyards. Crafted from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grown on the steep hillsides of Chavignol, this distinctive white combines ripe fruit, floral finesse and a persistent mineral finish.
The south-facing Monts Damnés vineyard benefits from ...Show More >
Elegant, expressive and beautifully textured, Gérard Boulay’s Monts Damnés captures the character of one of Sancerre’s most celebrated vineyards. Crafted from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grown on the steep hillsides of Chavignol, this distinctive white combines ripe fruit, floral finesse and a persistent mineral finish.
The south-facing Monts Damnés vineyard benefits from excellent sun exposure and pale, reflective soils, making it one of Chavignol’s warmer sites. Its limestone-rich Kimmeridgian terroir provides the foundation for a wine of depth and definition, balancing generous fruit with the freshness and structure that distinguish Boulay’s finest bottlings.
The 2024 is particularly elegant and aromatic, with floral notes accompanying ripe citrus and orchard fruit. A finely chalky texture gives the palate shape, while lively acidity brings brightness and lift. Subtle saline nuances carry through the long, stony finish, creating a Sancerre that feels both substantial and graceful.
The Boulay family’s winegrowing history in Chavignol dates back to 1380. Gérard has farmed organically since 1990 and harvests entirely by hand. Natural fermentation and maturation in neutral vessels reflect a restrained approach that allows the vineyard’s individual character to emerge without overt oak influence.
Pair with grilled fish, seared scallops, roast chicken or Crottin de Chavignol goat cheese. Allow the wine time to unfold in the glass when young, or cellar it to explore the additional depth and complexity that make Boulay’s single-vineyard Sancerres so rewarding.
Expert Rating
Vinous 93 Points | Done in a floral, finely aromatic style that’s both elegant and perfumed, the 2024 Monts Damnés is ripe, but there’s no shortage of acidity. It leaves a lip-smacking, bright finish as if someone’s just played a triangle, or the clouds have parted and the angels are singing a top note. Textbook chalky texture elevates this wine, making for a very classic style.
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