The Sancerre appellation is vast and variable. It produces everything from light, grassy bistro wines to serious, structured whites. Like Burgundy, where some villages and sites are clearly superior to others. And in Sancerre, the tiny hamlet of Chavignol is universally recognized as one of the best of all.

Most of Sancerre sits on limestone pebbles, but Chavignol sits on Kimmeridgian marl. This is the same fossil-rich limestone that defines the Grand Cru hill of Chablis. It produces wines that are not merely fruity or floral, but are dense and profoundly mineral. They have a distinct "weight" that sets them apart from every other Sauvignon Blanc in the world, just like how Chablis doesn’t taste like Chardonnay from anywhere else.

If you are looking for the purest expression of this terroir without paying the cult prices of producers like Cotat or Vatan, you should look to Domaine Yves Martin.

The Martin family has been farming in Chavignol for generations, and they are lucky enough to own vines on the most famous slope in the entire appellation: La Côte des Monts Damnés. The "Damned Mountains" are so named because the slope is incredibly steep and difficult to work, but the reward is a south-facing amphitheater of white limestone that produces wines of legendary longevity.

We are thrilled to offer two distinct expressions of this village today. First is the 2023 Sancerre "Chavignol." This is the perfect introduction to the style. While it carries the standard Sancerre appellation, it is made exclusively from fruit grown within the village of Chavignol. It captures the essence of the 2023 vintage—bright, energetic, and open—but with that signature undercurrent of wet stone and richness that lets you know you aren't drinking generic Sauvignon Blanc.

Then we have the masterpiece: the 2022 "La Côte des Monts Damnés." This is a wine that transcends the varietal. From the strong 2022 vintage, this wine is powerful and broad-shouldered. It has the texture of a white Burgundy – yes, like a Grand Cru Chablis – with lingering fruit notes and that Kimmeridgian signature, iodine. It is delicious now if you give it plenty of air, but like the best wines from this hill, it is built to age for a decade or more.

Yves Martin Sancerre La Cote des Monts Damnes 2022 - $32.99

Yves Martin Sancerre Chavignol 2023 - $37.99