J de Villebois Sauvignon Blanc Touraine Kosher 2021 750ml

Winemaker Description

A racy, zippy style, with nice fruit character from apple blossoms and white nectarine, layered with fresh grass and mineral accents, all pulled taut on the palate by bracing acidity. 

Born in the Netherlands into a family with noble French origin, Joost de Willebois’ international business career started in France. While working in Bordeaux, his passion for wine grew and he eventually completed evening courses in winemaking at the University of Bordeaux. After a career at Dutch Royal Shell and ING Group, he became chairman of the Amsterdam Stock Exchange and vice chairman of Euronext in 2004. When Euronext merged with NYSE in 2007, he became a member of the newly established global executive committee. He withdrew from the NYSE Euronext Group in 2010.

Parallel to that period, in 2004 he acquired a small vineyard of 40 acres in the Touraine area of the Loire Valley where he met Thierry Merlet who started to consult for the Villebois winery. Thierry joined Villebois as winemaker and sales manager full-time in 2008. When they decided to specialize in producing award-winning Loire Sauvignon Blanc wines, the company started to grow substantially year by year. In 2015, the Villebois-Fournier group was created through the acquisition of Fournier Père et Fils based in Sancerre, thus creating one of the leading wineries in the Loire Valley. J. de Villebois is a family winery owned by Joost and Miguela de Willebois.

Over the last 15 years, Villebois has become one of the leading Sauvignon Blanc producers in the Loire Valley with a unique range of Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir wines cultivated in its own vineyards. Villebois wines win multiple awards year-in, year-out at French and international wine contests.

Expert Review

James Suckling 90 Points | Aromas of apples, pear skin, lemon pith, linden and acacia. Some flinty notes to it, too. Medium-bodied with clean, refreshing acidity and delicious, crunchy fruit character. Flavorful finish. (2022).