Day Trip to the Sancerre and Pouilly Vineyards
In a fun and educational way, travel this part of the Loire Valley, which could well be the cradle of Sauvignon in France... Why has this grape earned its reputation t...
Profile
Structure
Drinking window
Latest scored vintage 2021: best 2024 to 2036.
vintage3 yrs15 yrs17 yrs
Critic scores
| Critic | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|
| James Suckling reviewed 2023 | 2021 | 95/100 |
Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.
In the glass
Aroma: crisp pear, lemon zest, wildflower, flint smoke
Palate: lemon confit, marzipan, white spice, grapefruit
Single-parcel silex Sauvignon from vines planted 1970. Crystalline citrus and grapefruit on a tense, intensely mineral frame; ages on the cellar floor for over a decade.
What it pairs with
- Sea bass crudo Tense mineral acidity lifts raw fish; lemon-zest aromatics echo a simple citrus dressing.More wines for sea bass →
- Lobster with beurre blanc The wine's textural depth from lees ageing partners shellfish richness; flint signature cuts butter.More wines for lobster →
- Goat cheese tartlets Crottin de Chavignol with the AOC's flagship silex Sauvignon is a textbook Sancerre pairing.More wines for lamb →
- Grilled asparagus Sauvignon's herbal lift meets the vegetable's bitterness; saline minerality balances olive oil.More wines for vegetables and salads →
With cheese
History
Among the early Sancerres grown on pure silex (flint) soils, Les Romains was created to express the depth and complexity of flint Sauvignon. The 1970-planted vines bring concentration unusual in Sancerre.
- 1970Vines planted on the Les Romains silex parcel
- 1997First vintage of Les Romains bottled as a single-parcel cuvée
- 2008Biodynamic certification granted on the parcel
Facts
- Producer
- Domaine Vacheron · visiting guide
- Grapes
- Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
- Classification
- Sancerre AOC
- Oak
- Fermented and aged on lees in old foudre and demi-muid, no new oak, around 12 months
- ABV
- 13.0%
- Price
- EUR 55 to 90 at retail
- Drinking window
- 3-15 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1997
- Biodynamic
- Biodynamic Practicing
- Organic
- ECOCERT
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Frequently asked about Sancerre Blanc Les Romains
What does Vacheron Les Romains taste like?
Crisp pear, lemon zest, wildflower and flint smoke on the nose; lemon confit, marzipan, white spice and grapefruit on the palate. Medium-bodied with high acidity and a long, tense mineral finish.
When should I drink Vacheron Les Romains?
Drink between 3 and 15 years from vintage. The flint signature emerges fully after 5 years in bottle; younger vintages reward a 30 minute decant.
What soil is Les Romains grown on?
Pure silex (flint) terroir. Les Romains was an early Sancerre bottled exclusively from this soil type, prized for the smoky, lifted character it imparts to Sauvignon Blanc.
Is Vacheron Les Romains vegan?
Yes. The estate uses no animal-derived fining agents since converting to biodynamic farming in 2004.
Tags
biodynamic
dry
high acid
medium body
medium term
mood contemplative
mood elegant
occasion cellar
occasion dinner party
occasion special
old vines
old world
organic
pairs with shellfish
pairs with soft cheese
pairs with vegetable forward
pairs with white fish
price premium
sauvignon blanc
single vineyard
still white
vegan
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