Baron de L 2020, Ladoucette, Loire Valley

On the nose it is a harmonious blend of strength and freshness with orange peel, grapefruit, beeswax and floral hints. On the palate the fruit is full and elegant showing a mineral complexity combined with herbaceous fruit and zesty acidity. The length is extraordinary and makes Baron de L one of the finest expressions of Sauvignon Blanc.

Since the late 18th Century, the family of Comte Lafond has owned the largest and most famous vineyards in the Pouilly region, known as the Château du Nozet. This 165 hectare estate produces 10% of the entire Pouilly Fumé appellation.

The vines are on average forty years old and yield barely enough for 8,000 cases each vintage (the classic de Ladoucette Pouilly-Fumé vineyards can produce 100,000 cases). Picking is always by hand so that the fruit remains undamaged. Lying at the heart of the vineyards, the winery at the Chateau du Nozet always receives fruit at optimum freshness, as no parcel of land lies more than six minutes away.

This is a wine made entirely from free-run juice the highest possible grade. This is obtained by gravity where the natural weight of the grapes allows a fine juice to run-off without the harsh action of pressing. It is made in a similar way to a champagne Cuvée where the wines from the finest Grand Cru vineyards are vinified separately, then skillfully blended together. The wines are stored on their lees to extract maximum flavour, and stirred on occasion to accentuate this process. The wine will be bottled after two years in the cellars of the Chateau.