Domaine Vacheron : Belle Dame 2023

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the Belle Dame 2023 by Domaine Vacheron

Tasting Notes

Appearance
The brilliant robe reveals a subtle morello cherry red hue with ruby highlights.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet, both complex and refined, releases floral notes of rose, combined with intense aromas of blackcurrant and blackberry. The whole is enhanced by delicate hints of praline and mocha.

Palate
The palate opens with a clean, generous attack, offering a supple texture framed by fine, dense tannins. The tasting concludes with a silky finish, marked by vivacity and power.

Food and Wine Pairing

This red wine pairs wonderfully with roasted or confit poultry such as duck, guinea fowl or pigeon. It also perfectly complements red meats, mushroom-based regional dishes, as well as aged goat cheeses, like the famous crottin de Chavignol.

Serving and Cellaring

With its beautiful structure, the Belle Dame 2023 is known for its ability to age gracefully in the cellar for several years.

Other Characteristics

This dry wine stands out for its very low sugar content. It is also certified organic and biodynamic.

The Authentic Expression of a Sancerre Red Wine

The Estate

Founded in the early 20th century by Maurice Vacheron, the Domaine Vacheron has established itself as an unmissable reference in the Loire Valley in France. Located in the heart of the village of Sancerre, this family-run estate oversees a vineyard of around 45 to 50 hectares. Now run by cousins Jean-Dominique and Jean-Laurent Vacheron, the estate stands out for its pioneering approach to biodynamic viticulture and its rigorous plot selection. As it never purchases grapes, it guarantees complete control over its production.

The Vineyard

This wine comes from a single 1.60-hectare plot located on the great terroirs of Sancerre. Planted in 1980, these vines thrive on a hillside with clay-siliceous soils, particularly rich in flint and clay. This unique terroir, cultivated according to organic and biodynamic principles, gives the wine a remarkable balance between structuring power and mineral tension.

Winemaking and Aging

The grapes for the Belle Dame 2023 are entirely hand-harvested, followed by careful sorting in the cellar and complete destemming. Maceration and alcoholic fermentation, triggered by indigenous yeasts, take place in stainless steel tanks for about thirty days, with regular punching down of the cap. Malolactic fermentation then takes place in barrels. Finally, this Sancerre red wine undergoes a year of aging in oak barrels, half of which are new and the other half previously used for one vintage.

Grape Variety

100% Pinot Noir