2021 Domaine Laporte Sancerre "La Comtesse", Loire Valley, France

ABOUT THIS WINE

The grapes are hand-picked and after racking at low temperature, the wine ferments for 10 days in stainless steel tanks at temperatures ranging from 15° to 20°C (59° to 68°F). Neither yeasting nor malolactic fermentation is used. The wine is matured on its fine lees for 5 months and is then vacuum bottled (exclusively in darkly tinted bottles). Only high quality natural corks are used. The wine undergoes additional maturation for at least one month in the bottle before being offered for sale

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Domaine Laporte is the result of a perfect blending of two renowned Sancerre families. Founded in 1850 in the village of Saint-Satur, Domaine Laporte was run until 1986 by René Laporte. A visionary chair of the Sancerre appellation for 20 years, René was a pioneer in producing low-yield, high-quality Sancerre during a time of overproduction.A well-known winegrower from Chavignol, Henri Bourgeois purchased the domaine from René, keeping the old vineyard, cellar and house – and maintaining the excellent reputation. Now under the watchful eyes of Henri’s two grandsons, Arnaud and Cedric Bourgeois, Domaine Laporte is one of the most highly respected estates in the Loire Valley. It holds more than 74 acres, and the flagship Sancerre comes from one of the finest vineyards in the appellation, Domaine du Rochoy, a 25-acre monopole vineyard carved out of the flint hillside overlooking the Loire River. Typically one of the first sites picked in the appellation, Rochoy offers grapes with wonderful ripeness and incredible mineral expression from Silex soils, the rarest terroir in Sancerre.

Laporte is a certified organic producer and the wine here is made in a very traditional, natural way, employing organic methods and always ensuring a sense of purity and excellence. In addition to Sancerre, Laporte produces beautiful Pouilly-Fume, Quincy and Chateaumeillant.

Laporte also produces three wines under the Le Bouquet label: the floral and citrus-scented Sauvignon Blanc, a Cabernet-Franc offering fresh red fruits and soft hints of spice, and a fruity Pinot Noir rosé. Made with very high-quality fruit, these are versatile wines – a great value and a perfect introduction to the wines of the Loire Valley and the style of Laporte.