Ladoucette Comte Lafond Sancerre Blanc

Sancerre, France

Vintage:2020 (Past)

2021 (Past) | 2022 (Current) | 2023 (Current)

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Ladoucette Comte Lafond Sancerre Blanc 2020
  • VFTC 92
  • VP 90

Reviews

View From the Cellar 92 Points August 2022, John Gilman

“The Comte Lafond bottling is one of the Sancerres produced by the Ladoucette family, and it is consistently excellent. The 2020 is no exception, offering up a precise and vibrant nose of gooseberry, lime, chalky minerality, gentle grassiness and a topnote of lemon peel. On the palate the wine is vibrant, full-bodied, focused and complex, with a good core, fine mineral drive and cut, zesty acids and a long, seamlessly-balanced finish. This is lovely and nicely low octane for the vintage, coming in at a svelte 12.5 percent octane. 2022-2030.”

VinePair 90 Points July 19, 2022, Keith Beavers

“The beautiful bucolic village of Sancerre at the eastern end of the Loire Valley is not the birthplace of Sauvignon Blanc, but — due to the high-draining soils and coolish climate — it has become known to some as the purest expression of this variety. You will find such purity in this wonderful bottle of wine. Drying, chalky minerality is perceived on the nose and carries to the palate. The acidity is gripping and active and just bursts through the wine. This is a great way to introduce yourself to this region.”

Overview

Baron Patrick de Ladoucette produces this wine. The growing area is the Sancerre Controlled Appellation area, which includes the villages of Bué, Chaudoux, Chavignol and Verdigny. Vines are aged from 25 to 35 years. The soil is a combination of clay, limestone and silica.

Winemaking

The grapes are transported in wagons which have bases that open to allow the grapes to empty uniquely by gravity.

The winery is made up of three levels. The first level is where the grapes are received and sorted without crushing keeping the grapes from the different parcels separate. The juice then flows simply by gravity to the second level where the pressing with the division of the juice "à la champenoise" takes place. The third level is where the wine clarified using a cooling system to regulate the temperature of the juice with maceration “pulpaire”.

In stainless vats thermostatically regulated to 64°F for six to eight weeks. On lees for three to six months with regulation agitation. The wine is never placed in wooden barrels in order to preserve the natural aromas of the grapes.

Tasting Notes

Beautiful crystalline dress, pale gold. 

The olfactory expression opens immediately on a succession of shades that are constantly renewed. First citrus fruits (orange peel and lemon), then summer fruits (white peach and pear) finally honey notes on a subtle background of peppermint... an excellent complexity that translates richness and elegance.

The lively and very frank attack precedes the acidulous roundness of the summer fruits expressed by the nose which are mingled with the refreshing flavors of exotic fruits (lychee, mango). Then, in delicate harmony, the fat and smells of fresh almond and pear are revealed. The finish, based on a stony minerality, is prolonged on notes of very ripe lemon.

Food Pairing

This wine pairs beautifully with shellfish, seafood and goat cheeses.

Technical Information

Varietals: 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Soil Composition: A combination of clay, limestone and silica

Average Vine Age: 30 years