Excellent meal and lovely Red Sancerre @La Côte des Monts Damnés

 

The dining room @La Côte des Monts Damnés


Jean-Marc Bourgeois

 

On Monday night CRM and I had a wonderful meal at La Côte des Monts Damnés in Chavignol, where we were staying overnight. Jean-Marc Bourgeois is the chef and his food always impresses but Monday night it was exceptionally good. The standout dish for me was the beetroot gaspacho with crab – looked stunning and tasted equally good!

After a very agreeable 2015 Grand Reserve, Sancerre Blanc from Henri Bourgeois with the considerable weight of the 2015 vintage, we chose the 2014 Sancerre Rouge Le Cul de Beaujeu from Domaine Vincent Delaporte now run by Matthieu Delaporte, grandson of Vincent. The Delaportes are the only growers to have Pinot Noir planted on the steep slopes of Le Cul. I thought the 2014 might be a bit young. However, although I'm sure it will age well it is drinking superbly now with mouth filling silky fruit.  

Mise en bouche

Langoustines looking towards Asia-Pacific 

Gaspacho de betterave rouge et tomate, émiette de 

tourteau au basilic de cervelle Canut à l'huile d'olive 

 

 Rack and saddle of lamb with a special spicy sausage  

Deliciously flavoursome lamb

 Côte de veau

 2014 Sancerre 'Le Cul de Beaujeu' Vincent Delaporte 

 

 

Soufflé chaud à la mandarine et Grand Marnier 

 Le coup de grâce !

Jim's Loire bricole – tout la journée....

New shower area created by Entreprise Bessé in Athée-sur-Cher. Jim's Loire busy painting. Report on excellent meal at La Côte des Monts Damnés on Monday night to follow shortly. 

Sancerre: photos from a glorious April Sunday mainly of Chavignol

 Centre of Chavignol with church with 

part of Henri Bourgeois winery at the top

Across the top: Henri Bourgeois winery

Hotel La Côte des Monts Damnés

run by Jean-Marc et Karine Bourgeois

Chavignol through the vines 

The top of Le Cul de Beaujeu that dominates Chavignol to the south west

You can just see walkers along the track a little below the hut

taking part on an organised randonée with varying distances being offered

Walkers 

 Helpers with refreshments for the walkers 

 Sancerre through the haze

 Amigny – neighbouring village to Chavignol 

Chavignol and Les Monts Damnés vineyards behind 

Signs in Chavignol

Arnaud Bourgeois on his quad bike

2012 Loire Vintage: Sancerre picking on the Cul de Beaujeu + Monts Damnés

 October 3rd 2012: picking on the steep slopes of the Cul de Beaujeu

The slopes around the little village of Chavignol are very steep. Les Monts Damnés to the north of the village are well known, while the Cul de Beaujeu is less well known but at least as steep. Yesterday there were two teams of pickers on the Cul. Given the steepness of the slope, it is clearly hard physical work, particularly for the hod carriers who have to continually climb up and down the slopes.      

Pickers like ants on the steep slopes (above and below)

Team across on the equally steep Côte des Monts Damnés with Chavignol in foreground

Sancerre: views of Les Monts Damnés

La Côte des Monts Damnés from Chavignol's cemetery 

A number of photos of views of La Côte des Monts Damnés that dominates the village of Chavignol, within the commune of Sancerre. Many of the photos were taken from Chavignol looking up to La Côte, which is a constant presence here.   

 Chimney and Les Monts Damnés

 Late light on house with steep slopes beyond

Flowers and La Côte

 La Côte

Buildings, some blossom and La Côte

 Working on some of the slopes (above and below)

 Last rays of sunlight on Les Monts Damnés looking eastwards