Great Sancerre delivers the most classic expression of Sauvignon Blanc in the world. The depth, complexity, and minerality are unequaled and those who strive to emulate, usually pale in comparison. Producer, Domaine Vincent Gaudry, offers a whole other level of thought-provoking perfection.
Crafted by one of the first biodynamic producers in Sancerre, Vincent Gaudry delivers wines with minerality, freshness, concentration, and energy that we all love in world-class Sauvignon Blanc. The Mélodie de Vieilles Vignes takes is a step further with incredibly old vines – some of which are over 90 years old. All the stars align here to deliver three-dimensional Sancerre that is pure magic.

Vincent Gaudry has dedicated his domaine to setting an unprecedented bar for quality through the practice of biodynamic farming and traditional winemaking. His vineyards are perched around the village of Sury-en-Vaux, on the west bank of the Loire River. A genuine innovator in the appellation, Gaudry’s contemporaries continue to seek him for recommendations on biodynamic and organic farming. The vines are farmed without chemical fertilizers, opting for only organic compost to supplement soils; he plows only in spring and early summer, leaves grass in between the vines and maintains strictly small yields for production. Gaudry uses 'selection massale' from old vines, which involves replanting exclusively from cuttings of his oldest vineyards. Thanks to his dedication in biodynamics, his vineyards deliver the healthiest vines that thrive in an ecosystem teeming with the life. The fruit inevitably translates the complex plant life and distinct voice of terroir as well as varietal purity in a form that is without equal.

The 2013 Mélodie de Vieilles Vignes is a special bottling this is derived from Gaudry’s oldest vines, some of which exceed 90 years old. Although old vines deliver lower yields, inevitably equating to less wine and profit, the resulting wine has concentration, depth, and a terroir-driven complexity. Once the hard work is done in the fields, Gaudry is a traditionalist in the cellar who lets nature continue to take its course. His hand-harvested grapes are fermented in stainless steel with only indigenous yeasts. The wine is aged on its fine lees before bottling. The biodynamic, concentrated fruit matched with Gaudry’s impeccable winemaking practices makes for a sensory experience you will never forget.  

The 2013 Mélodie de Vieilles Vignes has a light straw yellow core with green reflections on the rim. The intense and seriously aromatic nose delivers notes of gooseberry, white peach skin, grapefruit, passionfruit, and cream infused with aromas of lemon blossoms, white flowers, honey, crushed limestone, and a touch of oyster shells. The medium-bodied palate is vivacious with an abundance of minerality rounded out by cream and ample texture, which unfolds to reveal a bounty of passionfruit, gooseberry, green tropical fruit, citrus, cream, white wildflowers, and chalk. This wine is stunning at the moment and will age gracefully for at least 10-15 years. When top quality Sancerre ages, the wine becomes something special - so we recommend holding back a few bottles in the cold reaches of your cellar. For instant gratification, decant for at least one hour and serve in large Burgundy stems at about 50-55 degrees to capture the incredible aromatics. Serve this wine with a simple whole roasted fish with fennel and lemon on the grill. Simplicity is the way to go to let this stunning expression of Sancerre shine.