Domaine Sylvain Bailly, Sancerre 2020

Most of Domaine Sylvain Bailly vines are situated in Bue but they also extend into the villages of Sancerre, Amigny, Crézancy and Montigny. Their Sancerre Blancs are based on limestone soils (small pebbles), hard and very stony, making fruity wines with finesse. The white earth (Kimmeridgian marl) with some clay adds body and structure.

The Bailly family have been vignerons in Sancerre from father to son since 1700. Like most winemaking families in France who suffered from the phylloxera blight in the late 19th century and then the two world wars of the 20th century, it was only in the early 1950's that Sylvain Bailly began to prosper and grow his business. His son Jacques has took the helm in the late 1980s and today, his daughter Sonia manages the estate. The domaine’s name refers to a crucifix erected in honor of the Saint Ursin on the property in 1877 by Mr. Ducroux-Dauny. 

Bailly’s estate covers 12 hectares and is spread over 23 separate parcels. The vineyards are located mostly around the village of Bué with holdings in the famous vineyards of Chêne Marchand, Grand Chemarin, le Château and les Chasseignes. A bit of trivia about the name of Chêne Marchand which is arguably the most famous vineyard site in the Sancerrois region: Originally it was called the Choix Marchand which literally translates to mean “a merchant’s choice”, because it was the wines from this vineyard that the merchants kept for themselves.