Pré Semelé
Sancerre Blanc Le Cotelin – 2022
Region: France - Loire
Pré Semelé
Domaine du Pré Semelé lies in a tiny valley a few miles northwest of the hilltop town of Sancerre. The estate is managed by the third generation of the family Raimbault, brothers Julien and Clément, vigneron and winemaker, respectively. They are guided by their father Rémy, who has worked their vineyards for decades with his brother Claude. This is another wonderful example of the younger generation taking over the reigns of a family estate and elevating it to a new higher level.
The Wine
Vineyard Profile
Small holding on slopes of Maimbré, Sancerre.
- Vineyard Area: 1.7 acres/0.7 ha
- Soils: Portlandian limestone with Kimmeridgian limestone subsoil
- Exposure: Southeast
- Age of vines: 50 years
- Planting Density: 2600 vines/acre
- Yield: 50 hl/ha
- Organic vineyard management since 2018, no chemical herbicides, insecticides or anti-rot products
- Soils plowed, grass cover crops between rows
Harvest Notes
- Hand harvested into crates
- No sulfur used at harvest
- 3.5 hour gentle pressing, each lot vinified separately
- 48 hours cold stabilization at 46ºF
- Fermented using only indigenous yeast and aged in temperature controlled 600 liter barrels and oak casks
- Aged 12 months in same vessels on fine lees
- Just 4 g/hl of sulfur used in ageing – mineral based, made by the winery
- Wine blended and transferred to stainless tanks for 6 months
- Bottled without fining or filtering
Winemaker's Notes
This solar cuvée expresses all of the potential of Maimbray’s slopes. Rich and complex, it boasts expressive structure worthy of Sancerre’s greatest terroirs. The palate is juicy and features a flavourful finish bursting with lemony zing.
Wine Summary
100% Sauvignon Blanc; alcohol 13%; grown on slopes of Maimbré, Sancerre in Portlandian limestone with Kimmeridgian limestone subsoils; 50 year old vines; organic vineyard management since 2018; hand harvested; long, gentle pressing; 48 hrs cold stabilization; fermented and aged in temperature controlled 600 liter barrels and oak casks; aged 18 months on fine lees; minimal sulfur used only in ageing; blended and racked to stainless tanks for 6 months; bottled unfined and uniltered.
Technical Information
- 100% Sauvignon Blanc
- Alcohol: 13%
- Total Acidity: 4.0 g/l
- Residual Sugar: 0.72 g/l
- Total S02: 48 mg/l
General Info
| Country | France |
| Region | Loire Valley |
| Appellation(s) | Sancerre |
| Proprietors | Clément & Julien Raimbault |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Winemaker | Clement Raimbault |
| Annual Production | 13,500 9L cases |
| Farming (Sustainable, organic, biodynamic) | Sustainable, farmed using organic principles |