Eric Louis Cul de Loup Sancerre 2023
A delicate Sancerre with aromatic notes of lemongrass, lime and crisp green apple framing the palate. Mineral freshness and purity of fruit lead to a remarkably long finish
The grapes for the cuvée come from a selected parcel named 'Cul de Loup', which refers to the local tale of last sighting of the last remaining wolf in Sancerre. The parcel is located in the south of Sancerre, in the village of Thauvenay. The 36-hectare plot is close to the River Loire and sits atop the renowned chalky limestone soils which impart elegance to the wine through the vine's deep root systems. The vineyard is meticulously farmed with the greatest respect for the environment; for many years the vines have been cultivated without chemical preparations, biodiversity has been encouraged and soil preservation strategies have been employed, along with water resource management. In 2019, they were awarded the HVE Level 3 certification and since 2020 the estate has been in conversion to organic certification. Harvesting takes place during the cool of the night to maintain freshness.
The grapes were gently pressed to extract the aromatic expression and the must underwent cold settling without the addition of sulphur. Fermentation took place under controlled temperatures of 15°C to 18°C in stainless steel tanks, lasting for three to four weeks. The wine was matured in stainless steel tanks on its fine lees with regular bâtonnage for eight months to enhance the intensity, depth and finesse of the cuvée.
Eric Louis, fourth generation winemaker in Sancerre, is following in the footsteps of his ancestors. The estate was founded in 1860 by Eric’s grandmother Pauline, who gave her name to the then named ‘Les Celliers de la Pauline’ estate. The estate, which is located in the south-eastern area of the Sancerre appellation, was passed down to Eric's parents, Ginette and Léon, who steered the family business towards quality viticulture and abandoned polyculture in the 1980s. Today, the 35-hectare vineyard covers a mosaic of over 60 plots surrounding the villages of Thauvenay, Ménétréol-sous-Sancerre and Vinon. With a rich diversity of geological profiles, Eric meticulously cultivates the vines with the greatest respect for each terroir and the environment. The estate is HVE Level 3 certified and in conversion to being certified organic. The utmost care is taken with vinification, employing minimal sulphur to ensure the wines fully express the intricacies of the terroir of this famous region. The wines are refined, precise and mineral with wonderful fruit expression.
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