2023 Domaine Sauger 'Canalys' Cheverny Vieilles Vignes White 12x750ml

About the Wine

If you're looking for something new from Loire Valley, try this. If you want to drink like you're in one of the best regions in France for white wines, drink this.

Forget everything you think you know about Loire whites. This isn't some mass-market Sancerre knockoff—it's a year-aged oak masterpiece that glows like liquid gold and tastes like a revelation. The marriage of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay creates texture so rich you'll question why you ever paid triple for inferior Burgundy.

Every sip delivers bright citrus, juicy white peach, and gentle spices that make your taste buds sing. This is Loire Valley at its most seductive—raw, honest, and utterly intoxicating.

The Loire Valley is basically what would happen if Disney decided to create the perfect French fairy tale, except it's all completely real. Stretching over 620 miles from the Massif Central to the Atlantic Ocean, this UNESCO World Heritage site is home to more than 300 castles that look like they were plucked straight from a storybook. We're talking about architectural masterpieces like Chambord with its impossible spiral staircases, Chenonceau gracefully spanning the river, and Cheverny with its perfectly symmetrical façade and gardens so pristine they look almost too perfect to be real. The French kings didn't just build summer homes here – they created an entire fantasy landscape that happens to produce some of the world's most exceptional wines.

But here's where our story gets really interesting: OVW owner and wine expert Greg Martellotto was exploring the Loire Valley when he stumbled upon this absolute hidden gem tucked away in the countryside near Cheverny. After tasting Philippe Sauger's incredible wines, Greg knew he had discovered something truly special. A few days later at Wine Paris, surrounded by overpriced Burgundy whites and steep Sancerre, he made the decision – he absolutely had to bring these exceptional Cheverny bottles directly to wine lovers like you, who would appreciate this level of quality without the premium price tag.

The answer lies in the Sauger family's five-generation commitment to this magical terroir. Since 1870, when François-Sylvain first planted vines in Cheverny's unique sandy-clay soils, the family has been perfecting their craft in relative obscurity. Philippe's great-grandfather Lucien worked just 9 acres with hybrid vines, selling bulk wine to local négociants. When phylloxera struck in 1958, Philippe's father Marcel was forced to replant everything, choosing noble varietals like Sauvignon Blanc that would define the estate's future. By 1972, they had completely transformed their approach, moving to direct bottle sales that let them control quality from vine to glass.

When Philippe took over in 1988, fresh from studying viticulture and oenology and armed with experience from internships in Gers and Sancerre, he revolutionized everything. Gone were the side crops of asparagus and pickles – this was going to be exclusively about wine. He expanded the estate to 74 acres, installed temperature-controlled fermentation tanks, and developed a winemaking philosophy that prioritizes terroir expression over trendy techniques. The result? Wines that rival anything coming out of Burgundy's top appellations, but at prices that will make you happy.

This wine is the perfect example of why Cheverny is about to become every wine lover's new obsession. Philippe has masterfully blended Sauvignon Blanc's crisp minerality with Chardonnay's elegant richness, creating a wine that delivers the Loire's signature freshness with the depth and complexity that would make Burgundy producers take notice. While a comparable white Burgundy would easily cost $70+, and even Sancerre rarely drops below $40, this Cheverny delivers the same sophistication for a fraction of the price.

What absolutely blew us away during our tasting wasn't just the quality, but Philippe's genuine passion for his craft. While many producers in famous regions seem to coast on their appellations' reputations, Philippe treats every vintage like he's trying to prove something. Maybe it's because Cheverny only received its official recognition in 1993, making it practically a baby compared to its famous neighbors, or maybe it's just the Sauger family's five-generation commitment to excellence. Either way, the result is wines that over-deliver in every possible way.

Unlike mineral-driven Sancerre that can sometimes be austere when young, or expensive white Burgundy that requires perfect cellaring conditions, this beauty is ready to charm right now while having the structure to age gracefully if you can resist drinking it immediately.

The best part? Smart sommeliers and wine buyers are already whispering about Cheverny as the next big thing in French wine, and we're absolutely convinced they're right. Get ahead of the curve with this exceptional 2023 vintage that perfectly captures everything magical about this fairy tale region. When Cheverny finally gets the recognition it deserves, you'll be able to say you discovered it first, all while enjoying wines that prove you don't need to break the bank.

Tasting Notes

Aging. 1 year in French oak barrels.

60% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Chardonnay. The wine undergoes maceration and temperature-controlled fermentation, followed by one year of aging in oak barrels, enhancing its complexity and flavor. With vibrant fruit notes and a touch of vanilla, this wine offers a fresh, powerful finish that can be enjoyed now or cellared for up to eight years. Perfect with fish in rich sauces, white meats, or a slice of Beaufort cheese.

Critic Review

~92pts, Greg Martellotto, OVW Founder

~4,2/5 By Pépites de Loire