About the Icons
A Monthly Wine Club Selection
Founded in 1905, Domaine Sauvète boasts four generations of artisan winemakers in Touraine. The family farms its 40 acres of vineyard land according to organic principles, and is certified organic by Ecocert. In recent years, they have incorporated more biodynamic practices, such as using plant-based teas and preparations to help combat vine maladies, and working according to the lunar calendar.

The family vineyards in Monthou-sur-Cher are exactly what you would expect in terms of great terroir—their hand-tended plots are found on a south-facing, stony plateau overlooking the river Cher, and are chock-full of older vines. Half of the estate’s vineyard holdings is dedicated to white grapes, located on a higher-altitude plateau, the red grapes grow on south-facing hillsides that are very rocky. Touraine’s claim to fame in ancient days was the mining of gun flint, and this legacy is what gives its local Sauvignon Blanc its raciness and minerality. In some areas, flint stones (silex) are everywhere—pick up two rocks, bash them together, and it’s just like firing a cap gun! Most work is performed by hand, with the goal of keeping the land and the vine in balance. Each vineyard parcel is vinified separately to preserve and track its distinctive character.

This beautiful bottling, brought to us by winemaker Jerome Sauvète, is 100% Gamay from 20-40-year-old organically farmed vines. The grapes were hand-harvested in small crates. Carbonic maceration (whole cluster), in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, with indigenous yeasts. The resulting wine was aged briefly in tank before being lightly filtered, and bottled fresh.

Bright garnet. Aromas of mixed red berries, cherries and a hint of spice. The palate is fresh and fruity with flavors of strawberry preserves, rhubarb crumble, sweet pomegranate and black cherry. Beautifully balanced and oh, so delicious! The fruit unfurls through the finish, and is punctuated with soft, green, stemmy tannins.