Louis-Benjamin - Didier Dagueneau, 'Blanc etc' / 'Blanc Fume de Pouilly', Loire, France, 2020

Vault Wine: This wine is stored in our vault.

Overview of the Wine
Domaine Didier Dagueneau is based in the small village of Saint-Andelain in the heart of the Pouilly-Fumé appellation and is the source of some of the most singular wines of the world.

A true rebel, Didier Dagueneau decided to establish his own Domaine rather than join the family estate. He acquired his first parcel and began to vinify in 1982. Inspired by the work of Edmond Vatan in Sancerre and Henri Jayer in Burgundy, Dagueuneau was one of the first growers in Loire to experiment with single-parcel wines, starting with En Chailloux in 1982 and later with the cuvée Pur Sang in 1988.

On a mission to resurrect Pouilly-Fumé’s reputation for Sauvignon Blanc of the highest quality, Dagueneau became the “enfant terrible” of Pouilly-Fumé and heavily and publicly criticizing the practices of his winemaking neighbors, at a time when the region was associated with overcropping and accusations of vintage blending.  

After establishing his wines at the very top of the Pouilly-Fumé appellation, Didier Dagueneau further grew the estate by acquiring vines in the thought after vineyard of Monts Damnés in Sancerre in 2000, and in Jurançon in 2002.

Didier tragically died in 2008 in a plane crash. Louis-Benjamin, who had been working alongside his father in the vineyards and cellar had to step in and take over the management of the Domaine with his sister Charlotte. After seeing the remarkable results of the 2008 and 2009 vintages, it was clear that the winery was in good hands. Over the years, Louis-Benjamin has further solidified the Domaine's place in the higher echelon of the wine world.

Winemaker
Louis-Benjamin Dagueneau

Grape / Blend
Sauvignon Blanc

Origin
Loire, France

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
In the winery, the Didier Dagueneu Blanc Etc grapes are destemmed and gently pressed, then the resulting must ferments spontaneously with native yeasts. Finally the wine is aged on lees in foudres for 12 months.
 
Although Didier Dagueneu Blanc Etc is not one of Dagueneau’s flagship wines, it is still very pleasant. Fresh, rich and, above all, very mineral.

93 Points - Vinous
The 2020 Blanc etc. is developing into a mellow style with the richness of the vintage showing. It is what the French would call gourmand and, close to three years after being harvested, has entered a delectable stage of its evolution. Yes, it's still young but has improved and opened up since tasting a year ago. It now offers baked apple, honey and pastry flavors while retaining freshness. It is long and concentrated with a firm sense of structure, doing the mouth equivalent of providing a firm, reassuring handshake, likely due to the clay-flint soils, which make up two-thirds of the blend. (RG)

Product size: 750mL