The son of a Touraine winemaker, Valentin performed his studies in Bordeaux and got his first hands-on experience outside of the Loire within the Bordeaux region, at Chateau Mangot in Saint-Emilion. Following that, he went on to work in New Zealand in 2015, with a strong focus on Sauvignon Blanc - very much a different essence in the Southern Hemisphere than in the Loire. Returning back to France, it was natural to spend time in Burgundy, where he was able to work alongside some of the top white winemakers we know and love - Raphael Coche and Paul Pillot - with a stint with Vincent Sipp in Alsace (Domaine Agapé) to cap off his travels.

Grape: Sauvignon Blanc

Soil: Clay & flinty limestone

Vine Age: 70+ years

Fermentation & Aging No sulfur added at pressing; macerated in stainless steel for 15 days before transferring to 225L barrels from Cheval Blanc for elevage. Unfined and unfiltered, 3g/hL sulfur at bottling.

An angular expression of Sauvignon Blanc from Touraine, that smells like finger limes, orange rind, and smoked sea salt.

Rating: 91, Wine Advocate "The 2023 Chapitre I is more introverted than its 2024 counterpart, opening with aromas of white fruits, anise, herbs and spring flowers. Medium- to full-bodied, precise and layered, it’s built around a dense, textured core of fruit framed by a delicately oaky touch, concluding with a long, saline finish. Malolactic fermentation was only partial, with 80% completed."