Facing the river between the towns of Savennières and Épiré are two steep ridges and a narrow valley between them. When leaving Savenniéres for Épiré, the road takes a sharp turn, and you’re greeted by the slope of Roche aux Moines. As you ascend to the top of the first ridgeline, the road curves in a gentle arc, and the second hillside comes into view. This second slope and the narrow valley that separates it from La Roche aux Moines is a jumble of ancient volcanic and metamorphic terroirs. It is most known for La Coulée de Serrant and the seam of rhyolite that runs from Champ Courcier and along the top of the ridge to the lieux-dits of Ancienne Coulée and Hu Boyau. A unique combination of exposure and the rhyolite soils can result in a style of Savennières with dense minerality paired with wildly evocative aromas of an herb garden in full bloom. Damien’s Champ Bourcier captures all of this terroir’s potential and this cuvée is the ideal counterpoint to his nervy, flinty and wirey Roche-aux-Moines.
