Jean-Laurent and Jean-Dominique Vacheron are cousins who recently took over control of this world famous domaine from their fathers, who worked alongside each other before them for many years. Having grown up in the vineyards and cellar, as well as both having traveled extensively throughout different winegrowing regions, the cousins began at the winery with an impressive amount of knowledge and experience under their belts. Their fathers made quite the name for the estate during their time and now, Jean-Laurent and Jean-Dominique are successfully upholding and contributing to that legacy—continuing the tradition of family winegrowing and winemaking, while taking viticulture to the next level.

The actual village of Sancerre, located on the eastern edge of the Sancerre appellation, is an ancient medieval village atop a hillside that overlooks a surrounding sea of vineyards. The Vacherons have always subsisted in this region, so it made sense that despite the travel time that Jean-Laurent and Jean-Dominique did in other winegrowing regions, they both planted their roots back in their hometown. When the cousins first began working together at the winery as a team, they immediately set out to implement biodynamic farming methods in the vineyards. While their fathers had always practiced natural winemaking techniques, it was the cousins who pushed for organic and biodynamic certification. It seems this direction has led to more pronounced terroir characteristics in the estate’s wines with a profound level of energy and focus. Their 2014 Sancerre is a great example; it beautifully transmits the essence of the silex soils, which are comprised of flinty rock on top of clay and limestone. Of course, the hard work in the vineyards is what makes this possible. By way of certified organic and biodynamic farming, they plow the soils, fertilize with natural compost, plant cover crops between the rows of vines, and hand harvest extremely small yields. The grapes are harvested, gently pressed, and then fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks for a total of eight months before being bottled. Right now, I am totally enamored by this flawless and classic expression of Sauvignon Blanc. It is tough to find a better Sancerre for its price.

The 2014 Domaine Vacheron Sancerre has a highly reflective light yellow core moving to green reflections on the rim. The aromas are typical of Vacheron year after year, incredibly focused, showing notes of gooseberries, grapefruit pith, green apple, white peach pit, lemon blossoms, chervil, crushed stones and oyster shells. The palate is high in acid, medium body along with incredible levels of freshness and minerality, with flavors similar to the nose and focus of citrus, wet herbs and crushed white rocks. This wine is delightful to consume now, but this wine will develop more complex nuances each year, so i would recommend you some bottles if you have the willpower since about 5-7 years from now this wine will be twice the wine. If drinking now, ideally decant for a minimum of one hour and serve into a Bordeaux stems, just about cellar temperature (50-55 degrees F). Please be very sure to not drink this wine too cold as its complexities will be lost.