FRANCE, Loire
The house of Pascal Jolivet was founded in 1987 and is one of the most dynamic domains in France’s Loire Valley. Based in Sancerre, the domain now owns over 120 acres of prime vineyards spread across the appellations of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé.
Winemaker & owner
“In 1987, Pascal creates the “Pascal Jolivet” brand. To facilitate this development and produce his own range of wines, Pascal builds a brand new winery in 1990. Inspired by Champenois facilities that he knew so well, Jolivet is a firm believer in natural winemaking and practices environmentally friendly techniques in both the vineyard and the cellar.”
“Crafting a wine is a great outlet to become creative, a kind of art that asks us to listen to mother nature to better perceive and understand her messages. Magic happens while grapes are transformed into juice, then into wine and gives back to the terroir its nobility.”
Winemaking
Over the years, Jolivet has developed his own much recognizable pure and elegant style of wines. He practices a “bio vinification” winemaking, which views the farm as a cohesive, interconnected living system. The process is natural and the slow fermentations nourish and sustainably stabilise the wines using very low levels of sulphur. The result: delicious, natural yeast-fermented wines.
Collection
Over the years, the uniqueness of Jolivet wines is due to constant attention to detail. The Sancerre is extremely pure and refined with a highly praised, subtle character; the Jolivet’s Pouilly Fumé, however, is full-bodied and rich in character.
WHITE WINE
Information
“Sauvage claims a large personality. It expresses the terroir and the typicality of the sauvignon variety in Sancerre; all the finesse and elegance of a great wine.” –Pascal Jolivet.
Sauvage is issued from a careful selection of parcels out of two hectares of limestone, located in the Champtin hamlet and Bué-en-Sancverre. The old vines produce exceptional grapes and extremely pure and concentrated juices. It is matures on fine lees for 12 months in thermo-regulated stainless steel tanks. No filtration, nor cold passage before bottling.
Tasting notes
This wine is characterised by great freshness, vividness, complexity and a saline finish.
Rewards
James Suckling: 93/100
WHITE WINE
Information
By meticulous parcel-by-parel selection in the vineyards and a blending of limestone and griottes terroirs. Les Caillottes is the name given to Kimmeridgian limestone; this terroir represents one third of all Sancerre’s vineyard.
Tasting notes
This wine is vivid, fresh and very mineral. A dry wine with balance and elegance on the palate. There are fresh, clean floral aromas and a sappy lip-quenching acidity. A quite pleasant wine.
Rewards
Forbes
Author:Tom Hyland
Date: Thursday, December 12, 2019
“This is from vines with an average age of 30 years planted on small chalky stones in a terroir with southern exposition. Aromas of yellow pepper, cut hay and chive. Medium-full with very good concentration. Rich mid-palate, very good acidity, excellent complexity and a well-structured finish with a distinct stony, chalky note. Enjoyable now, but will improve with another year in the bottle.”
Grade: Outstanding
