Gerard Millet "Sancerre Blanc" Loire Valley, France 2025

FROM BOWLER WINE:

THE WINE: 100% Sauvignon Blanc originating from the three types of terroir found throughout Sancerre: 80% “caillottes” or stoney limestone soil, 10% “Silex” clay-flint and 10% “terres blanches” white clay and decomposed limestone. Direct pressing with cold settling for four days, fermentation in stainless steel vats for two to three weeks. Aged on the lees for six to nine months.

THE PRODUCER: Domaine Gerard Millet is in the village of Bué in Sancerre, which is considered one of the very best villages in the appellation. The winery is currently run by Steve Millet. He oversees their 19 hectares in Sancerre and six hectares in Menetou-Salon (a notably smaller and less famous appellation compared to Sancerre). The main soil is Kimmeridgian marl and flint. Millet’s farming is sustainable and both the vineyards and the winery are certified HVE3. Millet does not use insecticides, herbicides or anti-botrytis treatments. In the cellar, fermentations are mainly in stainless steel; the exceptions are for the single-vineyard wines, which are spontaneously fermented and aged in neutral oak barrels of 400 to 600 liters.

There are three white Sancerre wines, including two single-vineyard ones; they are all quite impressive in their crystalline precision. There is a compelling red Sancerre as well a single-vineyard. Millet also makes both colors of Menetou, with the same care devoted to their Sancerre. Steve explains that Menetou tends to be a bit warmer than Sancerre, but his family’s vines are in a cooler part (the villages of Morogues and Aubinges), thus allowing those wines to maintain great tension. The Menetou wines are in fact quite serious, with great texture, juicy fruit and a mineral backbone providing structure.