Sebastien Vaillant Valencay 2025

Sebastien Vaillant Valencay

Region: Loire, France

Vintage: 2025

Bottle size: 75cl

Grape: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay

ABV: 14%

This wine shows an expressive nose with intense aromas of lychees, peach and apricot. The palate offers flavours of white peach and ripe pear with a natural acidity and vibrant minerality.

Sébastien's vines are aged between 12 and 37 years old. The Sauvignon Blanc vineyards are planted on flint which gives the characteristic mineral quality to all the best wines made in this area. The Chardonnays grow on sandy and limestone soils over very stony and clay subsoils which add a richness and depth to the wines.

Upon arrival at the winery, the Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc grapes were gently crushed with a portion of the must left on skins to macerate before pressing. The varieties were co-fermented in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, for approximately two months. After fermentation, the wine was racked, blended and aged on fine lees for one month before bottling.

La Cave de Valençay was founded in 1964 by Sébastien Vaillant's grandfather, Sébastien took over the domaine in 2004 after having worked in several estates around France and the world. He now oversees 31 hectares of vineyards which continues east from Valençay to Pouilly-Fumé and Sancerre. Certified organic from the 2024 vintage, the vines are planted on clay and flint soils; the same flint that was famously used for the manufacture of flintlock pistols for Napoléon’s armies. Valençay achieved official AOC status from the 2002 vintage and is the only area to hold this designation for both its wine and its distinctive pyramid-shaped goat's cheese, which is also the ideal accompaniment for the wine.