Pré Semelé
Sancerre Blanc Les Chasseignes – 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 parcel on Maimbré’s South/Southeast slopes.
- Vineyard area:2.47 acres/ 1 ha
- Exposure: South, Southeast
- Soils: “Caillottes” (little stones) with Portlandian limestone subsoil
- Vine age: 50 years
- Yield: 50 hl/ha
- Organically oriented, environmentally responsible vineyard management, no chemical herbicide or anti-rot products
- Grass cover crops, plowed soils
Harvest Notes
- Grapes hand harvested into crates
- No sulfur used at harvest
- Long (3.5 hrs), gentle pressing
- Cold stabilization for 48 hours at 8°C
- Fermented using only indigenous yeast in 20 hl oak casks
- Aged 12 months on fine lees
- Just 4 g/hl of sulfur used in ageing – mineral based, made by the winery
- Blended and racked to stainless steel tanks for 6 months
- Bottled unfined and unfiltered
Winemaker's Notes
The estate’s flagship cuvée features very expressive fruit in its youth, which evolves over time into a more mineral profile due to this wine’s calcareous terroir. The palate is generous, complex and boasts remarkable length thanks to resolute balance despite above-average ripeness.
Wine Summary
100% Sauvignon Blanc; alcohol: 13%; small parcel on Maimbré’s slopes facing South/Southeast soils: little stones over Portlandian limestone; vines 50 years; organically oriented farming; long, gentle pressing, cold stabilization for 48 hours; fermented with only indigenous yeast in 20 hl oak casks; aged 12 months on fine lees; minimal sulfur used only in ageing; blended and racked to stainless steel tanks for 6 months; bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Technical Information
- 100% Sauvignon Blanc
- Alcohol: 13%
- Total Acidity: 3.97 g/l
- Residual Sugar: 0.8 g/l
- Total S02: 48 mg/l
- Bottles Produced: 7,000
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 |