Notes: The new vintage has not yet been rated; the 2006 vintage received a score of 16.5/20from B&D and 16/20 from RVF
A true leading figure in his appellation, Gérald Vallée crafts the L'Envolée cuvée from a selection of the finest juices sourced from the estate’s best terroirs, where Cabernet Franc delivers a rich and complex expression. The result is a wine of great finesse on the nose, both powerful and elegant, with intense fruit and a long finish. An excellent wine for aging!
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Eye
Dark red dress
Nose
great finesse on the nose, which is both powerful and elegant
Palate
Wonderfully smooth on the palate, velvety, with intense fruit flavors and a long finish. Rich, complex, and elegant.
Serve
decant at 14-16°C
Open
30 minutes before
Drink from
2010
Drink before
2017
Production
Sorting before destemming, maceration for 3 to 4 weeks
Food and wine pairings
A déguster sur des viandes rouges, des gibiers, un jarret de veau en croûte, un pot-au feu... <br/>
Bettane & Desseauve
Rated estate (2025 guide): 2 stars (A solid, recommendable vintage, though slightly more consistent and uniform than the previous one)
About the estate:
By converting his vineyard in Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil to organic farming, Gérald Vallée has undertaken a thorough approach to respecting the grapes. His wines reflect all the elegance and delicacy that the appellation’s diverse terroir has to offer. The range is impressive right from the first wines, which are elegant, refined, deep, and flavorful. There is something for everyone in this range of very reasonably priced wines.
Guide des Vins Gault & Millau
Estate rated 1*Star (High-quality production)
About the estate:
Gérald Vallée cultivates 27 hectares of Cabernet Franc, all of which have been converted to organic farming, with the care one would expect: soil cultivation, leaf removal… The entire production is classified under the Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil appellation. In the cellar, no yeast or enzymes are added to the vats.
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Rated estate (2026 guide) 2*Stars (These exceptional estates, often boasting fabulous terroirs, are must-haves that, thanks to the consistency and excellence of their wines, deserve a place in the cellars of discerning wine lovers)
About the estate:
The meticulous Gérald Vallée leaves nothing to chance in his winemaking process, which involves fermentation in wooden vats and aging in barrels. He produces full-bodied, seductive Cabernet Francs, characterized by smooth tannins that make them approachable even in their youth, yet also endowed with good aging potential. Recent vintages have gained considerably in fruit brilliance, bringing them closer to the freshness of their terroir. The “fruit-forward” cuvée La Croisée is crafted with spontaneity, while Les Perruches is artfully styled in wooden vats to highlight the identity of these flinty clay soils. On the Coteau du Vau Jaumier, the Cabernet Franc reveals an inimitable smoothness and “sandy texture.” And Postumus? A marvel of Cabernet Franc vinified from whole clusters, with notes of citrus and rose—a wine that stands out not only for the region but for the rest of the world as well. The added vibrancy and freer expressions, while remaining highly precise, lead us to award a second star.
Customer rating
4.2/5
based on 4 reviews
Review by Mr. VINCENT O. Published on July 15, 2018
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Review by Mr. HENRI JEAN P. Published on July 28, 2015
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Review by Mr. FRANCIS S. Posted on 12/09/2012
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Review by Ms. MARIE LOUISE C. Published on 12/07/2012
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