From: Loire Valley, France
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Taste: The Domaine Vacheron Sancerre Rouge 2019 is a prime example of the family's commitment to producing high-quality, terroir-driven wines. This Pinot Noir is aged primarily in foudres with some neutral French oak barriques. It is a medium-bodied wine that is best served after decanting for at least 30 minutes in Burgundy stems at 60 degrees. The wine has a lush, tense, silky, and nervy texture, with black cherries of perfect ripeness followed by dewy rose petal, raspberry, wild strawberry, redcurrant, pomegranate seed, underbrush, crushed stone, clove, and smoked plum. The mineral-studded finish is both rich and perfumed, making it a truly exceptional wine.
Pairing: “What I find is a sort of chalky aftertaste in the mouth, which is what makes them so attractive when paired with food, particularly local dishes such as pork, paté and the huge array of seafood dishes favored in the region. If ever there was a red wine made to go with fish, this is it.” -Will Lyons
Creamy Chicken Liver Pâté
By Mark Bittman
The Domaine Vacheron is a family-owned estate located near the village of Sancerre in France. The family has been producing wine for nine generations, and today, the estate is run by two cousins, Jean-Dominique and Jean-Laurent Vacheron, who are training their sons to carry on the tradition. The vineyards cover 34 hectares and are situated on two principal soil types: "silex" and "caillotte" or chalk.
The family has been committed to organic viticulture for many years, and the entire estate was certified organic in 2003. The following year, the winery was converted completely to biodynamic agriculture, making Vacheron Sancerre one of the most terroir-driven wineries in the appellation.
The cousins are known for their earth-driven Sauvignon Blanc, but they are also making grand, expressive bottlings of Pinot Noir. The Vacheron boys have inherited some of the most coveted parcels in the appellation and are experimenting with a Burgundian approach to winemaking. Their Pinot Noir is not an afterthought, but a focus, and they are making serious efforts to give it the same attention as their Sauvignon Blanc. The grapes are hand-harvested and fermented naturally with indigenous yeasts, leading to wines that show a serious sense of place.
The Domaine Vacheron Sancerre Rouge 2019 is a benchmark for earth-driven Pinot Noir worldwide, and it is a testament to the Vacheron family's dedication to organic and biodynamic viticulture. This wine is a must-try for anyone who is passionate about terroir-driven wines, and it pairs exceptionally well with dishes like duck au vin. If you are looking for a wine that will astound you with its quality and consistency, the Domaine Vacheron Sancerre Rouge 2019 is an absolute marvel that will seduce now and for many years to come.