Val du Loir

Producer profiles - Jasnières and Coteaux du Loir

Philippe Sevault (1982)

Philippe Sevault

Although Philippe Sevault appears to be a recent arrival in the region, he is in fact a third generation farmer. The family’s background is in dairy herding and his brother farms cereals and cider apple orchards. He started in wine in 1982, and in 1993 he was in partnership for eight years with his brother-in-law, Thierry Honnons, until Honnons marriage to Sevault’s sister, Catherine, broke down. Their business together was dissolved in 2001, and this left Sevault without access to the vines which were all owned by Honnons. Today, he rents most of his vines from Michel Boulay and has a purpose built facility just off the main road in Poncé-sur-Loir. He works with his wife, Sylvain, the sister of Jean-Jacques Maillet, and they live at the old Maillet farm in Dauvers.   

Wine Overview :
Sevault works a total of eight hectares of which just 1.5ha come from his own vines. The main production is from 6.5 hectares of Jasnières where he makes two different cuvées, one being named after his grandson. In the Coteaux du Loir, there are 1.5 hectares of vines split between the communes of Marçon and Poncé-sur-Loir. Their small production in Gamay and Cabernet Franc is vinified as pink and sold off en vrac. Their lone red wine is from 100% Pineau d’Aunis and takes its name from the Loir ’s most famous son, poet, Pierre de Ronsard. Most of the wines are fermented and raised in stainless steel and fibre glass, although the hand harvested, Cuvée Louis is raised in older barrels.

The Wines :
The Jasnières are clearly the more interesting wines in the cellar. Sevault has a strong local market and has very little wine to sell. The virtue of their wines, on this tasting at least, is that they instantly attractive and approachable. Flattered by a little residual sugar which is the house style, they are open and easy drinking wines. The 2008s in tank were particularly impressive. 

2007 Jasnières
Pale green appearance. Attractive, primary Chenin nose. Quite clean and simple at present, but with good minerality. Mid weight on entry but with very good focus and ripeness. Already open with juicy, crunchy acidity and good structure, although it remains delicate throughout. There is a hint of residual sugar. Approachable now, but will keep. More demi-sec in style. (12/08)

2007 Jasnières ‘Cuvée Louis’
Picked with very ripe berries and carries around 30g/l residual sugar. Bright. Pale green. Closed nose but shows good ripeness behind. Richer style and with clear potential to develop. Mid weight and immediate on the palate. The residual sugar shows, but it is balanced by good, fresh acidity. Delicate and very fresh with wonderful zest and green apple flavours. Lively and already approachable. Will keep. Persistent finish. (12/08)

2004 Jasnières
Polished. Mid depth. Distinctly green appearance. More classic nose with some secondary evolution. There is a hint of terpine, but it retains some minerality, although still quite closed. Broad on entry and beginning to soften, whilst remaining quite restrained and at an adolescent stage. Good density and minerality. Flavours of white flowers and acacia. Still needs a little time to show at its best. (12/08)

2007 Coteaux du Loir Rouge ‘Cuvée Ronsard’
Dull. Mid depth appearance. Some evolution to the colour. Closed on the nose. Broad, but a bit resinous. Mid weight on entry. Simple, tannic and a bit too herbal and leafy. Some pepper on the finish, but is still quite green. (12/08)

Philippe & Sylvaine Sevault
Rue Elie Savatier
Poncé-sur-Loir
T: + 33 2 43 44 55 98
P: + 33 6 89 53 00 24
F: + 33 2 43 79 07 75
psevault@wanadoo.fr

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