Vincent Gaudry Mont Damné Sancerre 2022
Vincent Gaudry Mont Damné Sancerre 2022
For those in the know, Vincent Gaudry has been handcrafting some of the most essential, soulful wines of the Loire River Valley for over 30 years in his craftsman cellar in the tiny hamlet of Chambre, near Sury-en-Vaux, Sancerre. Vincent is a true minimalist whose guiding principle is “Trust in Nature.” The domaine was established by Vincent’s grandfather, and Vincent was only 16 years old when he joined his father in the family business in 1991.
Vincent immediately began converting to organic farming in 1995, obtaining organic certification in 2002. With a desire to go even further, he developed a deep appreciation for biodynamic farming and the balance it brought to his vineyards. Vincent began farming his vineyards with biodynamic principles in 2000, becoming the first producer in Sancerre with a Demeter certification in 2004, upon witnessing firsthand the positive relationship between the vineyards, forests, and their animal inhabitants brought on by his regenerative agricultural practices. Vincent works with nature and a sober pragmatism to maintain a balance in his vineyards and wine. Today, he and his wife Séverine farm 11 hectares of vineyards with certified organic, biodynamic, and regenerative practices.
Gaudry wines are in tune with the elements, instilling a feeling of being profoundly connected to the land. Driven by his deep respect for the wisdom of past generations of local vignerons, Gaudry’s wines are inspired by history and, as a result, are among the most transparent, soulful, and authentic in the region. They are also amongst the most limited due to his artisanal scale.
Mont Damné (Vincent’s preferred spelling) is an entirely new, important single vineyard for Vincent, marking his arrival in the famed village of Chavignol. In 2022, he vinified his first vintage from a steep single parcel located due east of the village, in the sheltered heart of the Mont Damné slope, leased to Vincent by Anne Vatan. The south-facing parcel consists of massale selection sauvignon blanc vines that were planted on the hillside by the legendary Edmond Vatan in the 1960’s. Soils here famously consist of caillottes (Oxfordian limestone) with calcareous clay subsoil, giving Chavignol its signature finesse, strength and power, as well as its notable ability to improve with age in bottle.
Mont Damné’s naturally low yields are further enhanced by Vincent’s ruthless pruning to less than half that of the appellation norm. Along with his disciplined organic and biodynamic viticulture and late harvesting, these factors yield a concentrated, complex expression of this great site. Just two 600L barrels of Vincent Gaudry Mont Damné are produced, and only when the vintage speaks to Vincent’s sensibilities. Vincent Gaudry is carrying the flag of traditional Mont Damné blanc from this historic and important vineyard.
Ever the quintessential craftsman in every level of his work, Vincent is equally dedicated to ensuring the safe voyage of his wines through an investment in the best corks in the market to seal his bottles. Vincent’s corks come from an artisan producer on the island of Sardinia. His corks are natural, produced without the use of chemical treatments or glues, and are aged for 13 years. The resulting corks, which are exceptionally dense and strong, are checked by machine and guaranteed against defects like cork taint.
Finally, each bottle is wrapped in the region’s traditional straw sleeves (produced by the last company in France making them), before being packed in wooden cases of six bottles for shipment.