The medieval village of Sancerre rests on the eastern edge of the appellation atop a hillside that overlooks a surrounding sea of vineyards. It is in this idyllic setting where the Vacherons have crafted world-class Sancerre for three generations. In charge of this incredible legacy are cousins, Jean-Laurent and Jean-Dominique Vacheron, who took the reins of the world-famous Domaine from their fathers. After extensive study around the world, they returned to their hometown and the family winery with a passion for the purest vineyard practices possible. While their fathers had always practiced natural winemaking techniques, it was the cousins who passionately pushed for organic and biodynamic certification and obtained it in 2003 and 2004. This direction has already resulted in even more pronounced characteristics of terroir and a profound level of energy and focus in their wines. Their dedicated work in the vineyards beautifully transmits the ethereal essence of the silex and Kimmeridgian limestone soils of their treasured sites that translates this sense of place in a truly profound way.

 

The 2015 vintage, in particular, is the product of a warm, dry summer that resulted in low yields of ideal ripeness and serious quality. Of course, the hard work in the vineyards coupled with traditional winemaking in the cellar is what makes this unrivaled expression 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 even smaller yields than their neighbors. The grapes are gently pressed then fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks for a total of eight months before being bottling, which results in ideal freshness, varietal purity and a mineral expression that is a snapshot of Sancerre at the pinnacle of its potential.

 

The 2015 Domaine Vacheron Sancerre Blanc displays a light golden core with heavy green reflections throughout the glass. Typical of Vacheron year-after-year, the incredibly focused aromatics reveal passionfruit, gooseberry, grapefruit pith, green apple, white peach pit, lemon blossom, lemongrass, chervil, wet grass, crushed stones and oyster shell minerality. The medium-bodied palate’s high acid lends incredible freshness alongside precise yet complex minerality. Reminiscent of the nose, the layered palate offers flavors of focused citrus, layers of wet herbs and seriously distinct minerality. This wine is delightful to consume now, but will develop more complex nuances each year. I recommend cellaring a couple bottles for about 5-7 years to experience something truly profound. For immediate enjoyment, decant for a minimum of one hour and serve in Bordeaux stems around cellar temperature, between 50-55 degrees. Due to the magnitude of complexity here, I prefer to drink this wine at the warmer end of the spectrum to experience all the aromatics the wine has to offer. A dazzling companion with countless dishes, this wine will deliver nirvana to your taste buds alongside this recipe for panko-crusted goat cheese salad with asparagus and tomatoes.