Sancerre Les Romains Domaine Vacheron et Fils 2019

Lot presentation

Sancerre Les Romains Domaine Vacheron et Fils 2019

The wine

The Sancerre white "Les Romains" has been Domaine Vacheron’s pride and joy since its very first vintage in 1997. Produced from a markedly flinty terroir, the grapes are cultivated biodynamically, fermented with indigenous yeasts and left to age at leisure on the lees for one year. Its pale golden colour, mouth-watering citrus, yellow fruit, and caramel notes, and power, minerality and hint of salt combine to make this a formidable wine. It will benefit from being left to aerate for 30 minutes before serving and is even more delicious if paired with quality seafood.

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.