Sancerre Domaine Vacheron et Fils 2009

Lot presentation

Sancerre Domaine Vacheron et Fils 2009

The wine

This red Sancerre is made from Pinot Noir. The grapes are grown on chalk and flint parcels and harvested manually. Barriques are used for malolactic fermentation while the month-long maceration and fermentation takes place in vats. At Domaine Vacheron, wines are then left to age for a year in oak barrels. The final nectar is glistening ruby red in colour. Its ripe, almost jam-like, red fruit aromas, with floral and zesty notes, give a first hint of its delightful length on the palate.

For many years Domaine Vacheron was run by two brothers, Jean-Louis and Denis (President of the Union Viticole Sancerroise), who were like chalk and cheese. Today, their sons Jean-Louis and Jean-Laurent are at the helm and they converted the 42 hectare property to biodynamic viticulture when they took over. Grass grows between the rows of vines and the earth is tilled with a plough or a mattock. The crops are sprayed with a biodynamic preparation using five highly sophisticated tractors which are controlled by computer to minimise doses. The domain owns two high-quality terroirs in the commune of Sancerre which produce grapes for specific cuvées available in both white (3/4 of output) and red. "Les Belles Dame" red was first made in 1995 and "Les Romains" white in 1997. This second cuvée is produced from a very flinty terroir. With its legacy of quality, thanks to the previous generation, and the two young cousins' commitment to an equally demanding approach, Domaine Vacheron is unlikely to be toppled from its place at the heights of the appellation any time soon.