2020-C Vincent Roussely ‘l’Escale’ Sauvignon Blanc, Touraine AOC, Loire Valley, France (750ml)
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A Monthly Wine Club Selection
Made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc, l’Escale is an elegant expression of the varietal. Pale straw color with layered aromas of grapefruit peel and chalk. Light and bright in texture, yet surprisingly fruit-driven, with flavors of lemon flesh, apricot, pineapple and savory herbs. The finish is generous with classic Touraine minerality.
Vincent Roussely is the fourth-generation winemaker at his family’s beautiful 8-hectare vineyard site in the heart of Chenonceaux, in the village of Angé on the Cher River. Since 2007 he has farmed the vineyards certified organically, transitioning from machine and horse to everything being done by hand, greatly improving the quality of the wines.
Planted mainly to Sauvignon Blanc, the soil is a mixture of clay and limestone with pockets of Silex where the oldest vineyards are situated (many of which are over 80 years old). There are some smaller parcels planted to Cot (Malbec), Pinuea d’Aunis, Cabernet France and Gamay.
The cellar is dug into a tuffeau stone tunnel underground, and underneath the vines. All fermentations are spontaneous and naturally very slow. The resulting wine was aged 6 months in stainless steel before bottling.