100% Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc just down the road from 200% more expensive Sancerre. Born in Paris, but from a paysan family, Jean-Charles Borgnat arrived in the Berry by default. With a passion for archeology, he studied Geology at university and worked for three years on oil rigs off the coast of Africa. He also worked as a volunteer in Algeria for a while following his military service there. The route to winemaking came initially though marriage; his wife, Marié originates from Preuilly where her father farmed 120 hectares of cereals (and her uncle just happens to be Henri Beurdin). With no natural heir, Jean-Charles found himself relocating to assist his in-laws, as a salaried worker, in 1981. The opportunity to diversify into wine came in 1993 when Borgnat purchased 1.5 hectares of young vines in La Commanderie, which is how he came to adopt the name. He was also one of four growers who bought vineyards from Jacques Rouzé who needed to recapitalize after the great frost of 1991, becoming one of the founders of the Cave Romane; his first vintage being 1994. Herbal & crisp with a green apple taste, with a finish of zesty lemon & clean minerality. Marvelous pairing with oysters!