2025 Domaine de l'Aumonier - Touraine Sauvignon Blanc (750ml)

Sophie and Thierry Chardon founded Domaine de l'Aumonier in 1996 in the far eastern corner of the Touraine appellation, naming the estate after Sophie's grandparents, whose gift of a small parcel of vines gave the young couple their start. Thierry had originally trained as a firefighter in Paris before returning to his family's winemaking roots, building the domaine from scratch with a banker's support and a neighbor's grapes. The couple converted to organic farming in 2003 and earned biodynamic certification in 2022, and the estate has since grown from its original seven acres to a substantial holding centered on Sauvignon Blanc.

The fruit for this cuvée comes from several parcels on the south side of the River Cher in eastern Touraine, where the Loire Valley's proximity to the Atlantic moderates the climate. Soils vary across the sites, ranging from tufa hillsides rich in clay and limestone to flatter ground of flint, sand, and silt mixed with clay, lending the wine a layered mineral backbone. The vines average around twenty years of age and are certified organic and biodynamic. Fermentation relies on native yeasts, and the wine is raised in tank rather than oak to preserve freshness, then bottled without fining and with minimal filtration.

The nose opens with orchard fruit, white nectarine and golden apple, alongside notes of quince, white blossom, and a streak of graphite that gives the wine some grip. On the palate, dried grass and forest floor nuances round out the fruit core, while the texture carries a slightly velvety weight balanced by racy acidity. It finishes clean and dry, making it a natural match for goat cheese, grilled fish, or a simple plate of charcuterie.