Louis-Benjamin Dagueneau Vin De France XXI 2021

Product Information: This was the only wine produced by Dagueneau from the 2021 harvest, XXI is blended from each of the domaine’s terroirs, but this is your ordinary regional blend we’re talking Pur Sang, Buisson-Renard, Les Monts-Damnés, and of course, Silex. Trust us these are vineyards of pedigree. There’s even a drop of fruit from the legendary Clos du Calvaire in Saint-Andelain, replanted in 2011. Aged on lees for 10 months in a variety of oak vessels producing very racy, vibrant wine with a medley citrus and stone fruits, fresh herbs and those signature salty, chalky, minerals only Dagueneau delivers. The texture is tight, with persistent flavour – reminiscent of the domaine’s wines of yesteryear before the onset of warmer and earlier harvests – with bracing tangy freshness on the long, juicy, pithy close. A great beam of sunshine from an otherwise challenging season. Maker: Dagueneau is an absolutely essential name in Loire wines. “A quality extremist” who takes the Pouilly wines to a unique level. It is after all in Pouilly Fumé and Sancerre that set the global benchmark for Sauvignon Blanc. The two signature wines, Silex and Pur Sang rank amongst the great white wines of the world. They are in a dimension beyond being merely outstanding Sauvignon Blanc. Didier Dagueneau will forever be remembered as “The Wild Man of Saint-Andelain”. A true enfant terrible, he singlehandedly revolutionised viticulture and wine making in Pouilly-Fumé. Initially vilified by his peers, he was eventually revered for his success. Dagueneau tragically passed away in a light plane crash in September 2008. His son is now in charge of the Domaine and continues to uphold his father’s remarkable legacy. Benjamin Dagueneau grew up in the vineyards and tasting great wines with his legendary father. He completed a degree in oenology and came back to work at the Domaine in 2004 after a year with François Chidaine in Montlouis and another year with Olivier Jullien at Mas Jullien in the Languedoc. He was about to launch his own Domaine when his father tragically passed away. He was ready. But how do the wines of Louis Benjamin differ from those of his father. The wines today have the same tension and vineyard expression that they did under Didier yet there is an added generosity and texture which certainly adds something to the equation. Regardless, no matter which wine you choose, each bottle from this avant-garde grower lives in a dimension beyond being merely outstanding Sauvignon Blanc and ranks amongst the great white wines of the world. Philosophy: Didier Dagueneau crusaded for his idea of authentic Pouilly Fumé. He knew that healthy fruit from low yielding, old vines produces the purest, most intense and vibrantly fresh wine. Domaine Dagueneau’s self imposed yield limit of 45 hectolitres per hectare has everything to do with his wines not being ‘typical’ of the appellation. Stylistically creamy texture replaces raw acidity; mineral flavours combine with exotic fruits. In 2018 Benjamin Dagueneau pulled his family Domaine out of the Pouilly-Fumé appellation. Clearly, there is no love lost between Domaine Dagueneau and the authorities. Last year Louis-Benjamin liberated his wines by removing every reference to Pouilly-Fumé that remained on his labels—including Blanc Fumé de Pouilly, which is now labelled as Blanc Etc… It goes without saying that at no time in history has Domaine Didier Dagueneau relied on the appellation’s name to sell its wines. If anything, this latest change only serves to underline the non-conformity and confidence of one of France’s great Domaines. His father would be proud. Nose – Exotic, Fresher, Herbal Notes 2021 returns to a fresher balance, with noble herbal notes that have become rare in recent years. Palate – Delicate Creamy Texture, Racy Acid, Sapid Bitters Tasty richness, well nourished by meticulous wood aging details, adding delicate texture in an otherwise electric delivery of fruit. Finish – Juicy, Lemon Pith, Chalky A delicate texture, supported by beautiful bitters. As usual, this Sauvignon will be very restrained in its youth. It will need five to six years to relax and loosen up. After a solar vintage with exotic notes in 2020, which is in top form today, 2021 returns to a fresher balance, with noble herbal notes that have become rare in recent years. Nevertheless, this XXI draws on an extremely tasty richness, well nourished by meticulous wood aging (barrels, demi-muids). A delicate texture, supported by beautiful bitters. Patience [required]. As usual, this Sauvignon will be very restrained in its youth. It will need five to six years to relax and loosen up. No doubt, it will evolve serenely for more than fifteen years. – La Revue du vin de Franc, 94 Points.